The Problem of Punishment

This book asks why it is morally permissible for the state to punish people for breaking the law.

David Boonin (Author)

9780521709613, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 April 2008

310 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.48 kg

'David Boonin's book … combines an incredible command of the literature with an organized and careful discussion … this is the best book ever written on the philosophy of punishment … must reading for anyone who wants to explore the moral status of punishment.' Stephen Kershnar, State University of New York, Fredonia

In this book, David Boonin examines the problem of punishment, and particularly the problem of explaining why it is morally permissible for the state to treat those who break the law in ways that would be wrong to treat those who do not? Boonin argues that there is no satisfactory solution to this problem and that the practice of legal punishment should therefore be abolished. Providing a detailed account of the nature of punishment and the problems that it generates, he offers a comprehensive and critical survey of the various solutions that have been offered to the problem and concludes by considering victim restitution as an alternative to punishment. Written in a clear and accessible style, The Problem of Punishment will be of interest to anyone looking for a critical introduction to the subject as well as to those already familiar with it.

1. The problem of punishment
2. The consequentialist solution
3. The retributivist solution
4. Other solutions
5. The appeal to necessity.

Subject Areas: Jurisprudence & philosophy of law [LAB], Social & political philosophy [HPS]