Attitudes to Punishment

Question 1

Outline three types of punishment. (3)

Answer 1

• One type of punishment is imprisonment.
• A second type of punishment is a fine.
• A third type of punishment is probation.

Question 2

Explain two types of punishment. (4)

Answer 2

• One type of punishment is imprisonment. This means that courts can take away the offender’s freedom and send them to prison for a fixed period of time.
• A second type of punishment is a fine. This means they have to pay in instalments but failure to pay will result in imprisonment.

Question 3

What is retribution? SOWAA?

Answer 3

Using punishment as revenge.
‘whatever he has done must be done to him.’

Question 4

SOWAA for death penalty.

Answer 4

‘murderer shall be put to death on the
evidence of witnesses.’

Question 5

SOWAA against death penalty.

Answer 5

‘no person shall be put to death on the
testimony of one witness.’

Question 6

Explain two reasons why Jews are against punishment. (4)

Answer 6

• One reason is because they see ‘eye for eye’ to be a restriction on punishment. This is because if someone takes your eye, you only have the right to take their eye.
• A second reason is because Jews believe compensation is better than retribution. This means that the value of an eye should form the basis of a punishment.

Question 7

Explain two reasons why punishment can be regarded as justice. (4)

Answer 7

• One reason is because retributive justice means that punishment should be proportionate to the crime because it is the best way of carrying out justice. This means that they should be punished for what they done not taken revenge on.
• A second reason is because part of justice is making sure that the good are rewarded and the law breakers are punished. This means that punishment is a way of protecting law-abiding citizens from lawbreakers.

Question 8

Explain two reasons why punishment might be needed in society. (4)

Answer 8

• One reason is because the weak need to be protected from the strong. This means that punishment can act as a deterrent to protect the weak from the strong.
• A second reason is because if society needs laws then it needs punishment. This is important to make sure all members of society obey laws.