Four papers contend that capital punishment is ethical because it affirms the seriousness of premeditated murder and is a reasonable societal response to those who take the lives of others. Three papers argue that capital punishment is immoral, because it is in itself premeditated murder and holds the risk of being administered mistakenly and unfairly. Further it undermines the sacredness of life and inflicts psychological torture on those awaiting execution. Also, various methods of execution have the potential of torturing the inmate. In examining whether capital punishment is administered fairly, issues of racial discrimination, wrongful convictions, and limitations on appeals are considered. Some argue that reforms rather than the elimination of capital punishment are the appropriate means of addressing any unfairness in the administration of capital punishment. Other papers present arguments for and against the deterrent effectiveness of capital punishment, and concluding papers argue for the elimination, retention, or limited use of capital punishment. A subject index, list of organizations to contact, and a 43-item bibliography