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Punishment - Coggle Diagram
Punishment
Retributivism
Punishment is justified as a morally deserved response to wrongdoing, based on the principle of justice.
A retributivist might argue that a thief should be punished simply because stealing is wrong and the thief deserves consequences, regardless of future outcomes.
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Deontology
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Categorical imperative; principled, moral duty binding on all individuals regardless of consequences of actions.
Issue is if categorical imperatives are absolute with no exceptions, can lead to degradation of happiness (i.e. if killing is bad in all circumstances but killing one person would save people from getting killed, would you opt for this to save the innocent?
Consequentialism
Punishment is justified by its outcomes or consequences, such as reducing crime, rehabilitating offenders, or protecting society.
E.g. A consequentialist might support imprisoning a thief to deter theft, rehabilitate the individual, and protect the community.
"Means to an end" - used as an example to prevent future crime; does the punishment benefit society? - focuses on utility (usefulness)
Pragmatic but reductive (influence on 'self') or economic driven, mere cogs in the overall machinery of society; Society > Individual
Utilitarianism
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Just because it leads to greater overall happiness may disregard individual autonomy/respect for 'self'
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Punishment involves depriving people of things (liberty, time, money) and they require people to do things that they would not normally want to do or do voluntarily (e.g. community labour/service, report to probation officer regularly
Some would say punishment is intended to inflict pain or suffering but that suggests hypocrisy to inflict pain or suffering as such, inviting the familiar criticism that we and that state should not be in the business of torture if we deem to be enacting a moral duty
Others would say punishment is intended to cause harm to the offender — adding, if they are careful, to allow for the possibility that punishment might intended to be, on balance beneficial to the offender
Abolitionism
philosophy that aims to replace the criminal punishment system with non-punitive ways of addressing harm
Abolitionism is then a way of thinking about social control, offering an alternative to the problem of crime and the consequent punishment based on a criminal reform.
E.g. Finland Open Prisons a prime example of criminal reform, empowering incarcerated individuals to explore and reconsider their future away from a life of criminality; seen as a success because it has not led to a rise in crime - goal is rehabilitation
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Is it non-discriminatory? Is the punishment proportional to its potential to achieve positive outcomes? Is it implemented only when deemed necessary? If so, proceed.