One side of the argument contends that deterrence is the primary aim of punishment and that capital punishment is an effective deterrent. This argument is based on the concept of rational versus irrational human beings; both capital punishment and life imprisonment would probably deter the rational human being but not the irrational human being. The effectiveness of capital punishment is examined in relation to the victim, arguments that the risk of taking a human life in order to save others is not justifiable are debated, and the view that the life of a murderer is worth much less than the life of an innocent victim is explored. 10 footnotes