Crime, Guilt, and Punishment: A Philosophical Introduction

Considering philosophical theories of punishment in light of both abstract arguments and factual evidence about the effects of punishing offenders, this book links the moral justification of punishment by the state to more general issues about the nature of moral disagreements and our obligations to obey the law. Ten applies his discussion to problems about the punishment of a variety of offenders--the mentally ill and dangerous, Nazi war criminals, "negligent" rapists and drivers, and others--and considers several related questions about crime and punishment.