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Wednesday,
February 18, 2004 |
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Debaters
agree: death penalty is wrong
By
John Anderson
Staff Reporter
A philosophy professor, a religion professor and a political
science professor may usually have plenty to disagree
on, but all three were in agreement Tuesday night that
the death penalty is wrong.
Amnesty International hosted a discussion about the death
penalty for students Tuesday night in the Student Center.
Don Jackson, professor of political science; Richard Galvin,
professor of philosophy; and Jack Hill, associate professor
of religion, were asked to lead the discussion.
Forty-one students heard the professors talk about statistics
on the death penalty, countries that have abolished it
and how it applies to religion.
“I think anytime we get together at a so-called institution
of higher learning and discuss arguments about important
public policy issues, we are doing what we are supposed
to be doing,” Galvin said. “It shows that people
are paying attention and that they are capable of thinking
on their own.”
Hill said, “I thought it was interesting to get a
philosopher’s perspective, a political science perspective
and somebody from religious studies because we each bring
different experiences and perspectives to the issues.”
Some students were disappointed that no one argued for
the death penalty.
“It was disappointing in a way that there was no
one here in the audience that had an opposing viewpoint
and was willing to express it,” said Ronnita Miller,
a junior graphic design and radio-TV-film major.
Junior English major Leah Chappabitty said, “I was
expecting more people to show up and disagree, I was ready
for a fight but no fight was had.”
“I hope it will help people to think longer and harder
about it,” Hill said. “Hopefully it will send
people back out with some good ideas and good arguments
when they are discussing this issue with others.” |
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