Not available to order
Publication date:
23 February 2010Length of book:
162 pagesPublisher
UPAISBN-13: 9780761850953
In Moral Desert, Howard Simmons notes that the idea that we deserve to be praised or rewarded for good behavior and blamed or punished when we act badly seems central to everyone's moral deliberation and practices. Simmons subjects this assumption to critical scrutiny. He argues that in a wide range of cases it is almost impossible to know the extent of people's moral responsibility, and indeed that it may be a complete delusion. He attacks the still-popular theory of retributive punishment, with special reference to the views of Peter French and J. Angelo Corlett. Simmons does not conclude that punishment is always unjustified, but insists that any justification should relate to its real world consequences. State punishment should be inflicted according to strict consequentialist precepts, and the author provides systematic principles for determining an appropriate sentence and for deciding when offenders should be excused. He also considers the implications of his views for distributive justice and personal morality.
The saying, "To understand all is to forgive all," is convincingly borne out by Howard Simmons' lucid critique of notions of moral desert . . . This is a splendid book for sharpening philosophical instincts about desert and blame, guilt and justice.