The Philosophy of Punishment

The series, St Andrews Studies in Philosophy and Public Life originates in the Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, University of St Andrews and is under the general editorship of John Haldane. The series includes monographs, collections of essays and occasional anthologies of source material representing study in those areas of philosophy most relevant to topics of public importance, with the aim of advancing the contribution of philosophy in the discussion of these topics. In this volume, the author sets aside the usual division between theories of punishment that do or do not focus on retribution. In its place he proposes and explores the distinction between internalist and externalist theories. The final chapter discusses the deterrent value of punishment.

Keywords: Punishment, retribution, internalist theories, externalist theories, deterrent, simple desert, just distribution, reform, denunciation, condemnation, penance, reconciliation, self-defence, externalism, internalism, incapacitation, ends and means, philosophy