Does the desire to punish have any place in modern justice? | Curio
News and insights read out for you.
10,000+ audio articles. 50+ world-leading publications.

All in 1 subscription.

Aeon logo

Does the desire to punish have any place in modern justice?

10 mins | May 28, 2017
story image

Have you ever been mugged, or had your house broken into? How did you react: did you hope the perpetrator would be caught and locked up? If so, then according to Neil Levy, deputy director of the Oxford Centre for Neuroethics, you were probably being unreasonable. He argues that the desire to punish may have no place in modern justice.

Get unlimited access free for 7 days, then $8.33/month (billed annually)
Get started