Punishment
Why do societies engage in the practice of punishment? What purpose does punishing serve? And does the punishment we find in modern societies do an effective job of meeting these aims?
Why do societies engage in the practice of punishment? What purpose does punishing serve? And does the punishment we find in modern societies do an effective job of meeting these aims?
Monday 31 January 2022 | 1 hour 14 minutes 28 seconds
Societies take it for granted that we should punish those who commit crimes. Punishment for serious crime takes various forms in different areas of world and periods of history: caning, mutilation, death, exile, servitude, and imprisonment are all examples. But why do societies engage in this practice? What purpose does punishing serve? And does the punishment we find in modern societies do an effective job of meeting these aims?
A leading philosopher, a decorated criminologist, and a prominent prison reform campaigner and ex-governor engage in a dialogue to answer these questions.