Punishment and Desert

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Punishment and Desert by J. Kleinig, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J. Kleinig ISBN: 9789401020275
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: J. Kleinig
ISBN: 9789401020275
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Superficial acquaintance with the literature on punishment leaves a fairly definite impression. There are two approaches to punishment - retributive and utilitarian - and while some attempts may be made to reconcile them, it is the former rather than the latter which requires the reconciliation. Taken by itself the retributive approach is primitive and unenlightened, falling short of the rational civilized humanitarian values which we have now acquired. Certainly this is the dominant impression left by 'popular' discussions of the SUbject. And retributive vs. utilitarian seems to be the mould in which most philosophical dis­ cussions are cast. The issues are far more complex than this. Punishment may be con­ sidered in a great variety of contexts - legal, educational, parental, theological, informal, etc. - and in each of these contexts several im­ portant moral questions arise. Approaches which see only a simple choice between retributivism and utilitarianism tend to obscure this variety and plurality. But even more seriously, the distinction between retributivism and utilitarianism is far from clear. That it reflects the traditional distinction between deontological and teleological ap­ proaches to ethics serves to transfer rather than to resolve the un­ clarity. Usually it is said that retributive approaches seek to justify acts by reference to features which are intrinsic to them, whereas utilitarian approaches appeal to the consequences of such acts. This, however, makes assumptions about the individuation of acts which are difficult to justify.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Superficial acquaintance with the literature on punishment leaves a fairly definite impression. There are two approaches to punishment - retributive and utilitarian - and while some attempts may be made to reconcile them, it is the former rather than the latter which requires the reconciliation. Taken by itself the retributive approach is primitive and unenlightened, falling short of the rational civilized humanitarian values which we have now acquired. Certainly this is the dominant impression left by 'popular' discussions of the SUbject. And retributive vs. utilitarian seems to be the mould in which most philosophical dis­ cussions are cast. The issues are far more complex than this. Punishment may be con­ sidered in a great variety of contexts - legal, educational, parental, theological, informal, etc. - and in each of these contexts several im­ portant moral questions arise. Approaches which see only a simple choice between retributivism and utilitarianism tend to obscure this variety and plurality. But even more seriously, the distinction between retributivism and utilitarianism is far from clear. That it reflects the traditional distinction between deontological and teleological ap­ proaches to ethics serves to transfer rather than to resolve the un­ clarity. Usually it is said that retributive approaches seek to justify acts by reference to features which are intrinsic to them, whereas utilitarian approaches appeal to the consequences of such acts. This, however, makes assumptions about the individuation of acts which are difficult to justify.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Uncertainty and Quality in Science for Policy by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Sabkha Ecosystems by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Performance, Talk, Reflection by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Surface Mount Technology by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Metals in Biochemistry by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Genomics of Chloroplasts and Mitochondria by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Security of Public Water Supplies by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Population and Family in the Low Countries 1995 by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book General Reports of the XIXth Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law Rapports Généraux du XIXème Congrès de l'Académie Internationale de Droit Comparé by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Self-sufficiency of Law by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Thermochemical Data of Organic Compounds by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Knowledge, Teaching and Wisdom by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Institutional Integrity in Health Care by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Structural Shell Analysis by J. Kleinig
Cover of the book Sociobiology and Epistemology by J. Kleinig
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy