The question of why a society should punish its citizens who do wrong lets us see a stark divide between consequentialist and utilitarian theories of morality. Jeremy Bentham focuses on the future good that might be done by punishing wrongdoers; Immanuel Kant argues, in contrast, that we punish as a mode by which the wrongdoer gets what he deserves. Both of these figures assume, however, that there is something appropriate about punishment; and, in more recent years, some people have begun to question whether or not we are entitled to use such punitive methods as imprisonment as a response to crime. John Washington's article summarizes these recent thoughts.

Readings

Kant, Punishment and the Principle of Equality.pdf

Jeremy Bentham, “Cases Unmeet for Punishment." Available at https://www.econlib.org/book-chapters/chapter-chapter-xiii-cases-unmeet-for-punishment/

John Washington, “What is Prison Abolition?” Available at https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/what-is-prison-abolition/

Guide for next week's midterm

StudyGuideMidterm2024.pdf

Preliminary slides

102_24_14th.pptx

102_24_15th.pptx

102_24_16th.pptx