The Apology Ritual: A Philosophical Theory of Punishment - Hardcover

Bennett, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521880726 ISBN 13: 9780521880725

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

Christopher Bennett presents a theory of punishment grounded in the practice of apology, and in particular in reactions such as feeling sorry and making amends. He argues that offenders have a 'right to be punished' - that it is part of taking an offender seriously as a member of a normatively demanding relationship (such as friendship or collegiality or citizenship) that she is subject to retributive attitudes when she violates the demands of that relationship. However, while he claims that punishment and the retributive attitudes are the necessary expression of moral condemnation, his account of these reactions has more in common with restorative justice than traditional retributivism. He argues that the most appropriate way to react to crime is to require the offender to make proportionate amends. His book is a rich and original contribution to the debate over punishment and restorative justice.

About this title

Book Description:

Christopher Bennett presents a theory of punishment grounded in the practice of apology, and in particular in reactions such as feeling sorry and making amends. His book is a rich and intriguing contribution to the debate over punishment and restorative justice.

About the Author:

Christopher Bennett is a Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, University of Sheffield.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521880726
• ISBN 13: 9780521880725
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 222