Punishment (Forum for Philosophy)

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.

Speakers

Anastasia Chamberlen, Associate Professor of Sociology at Warwick University, having previously taught at Birkbeck University and at LSE

Peter Dawson, Director of the Prison Reform Trust

Antony Duff, Professor Emeritus at the University of Stirling and Fellow of the British Academy

Chair

Lewis Ross, Assistant Professor in LSE’s Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

Further info