Abstract
In contrast to the traditional view of Kant as apure retributivist, the recent interpretations ofKant's theory of punishment (for instance Byrd's)propose a mixed theory of retributivism and generalprevention. Although both elements are literallyright, I try to show the shortcomings of each. I thenargue that Kant's theory of punishment is notconsistent with his own concept of law. Thus I proposeanother justification for punishment: specialdeterrence and rehabilitation. Kant's critique ofutilitarianism does not affect this alternative, whichmoreover has textual support in Kant and is fullyconsistent with his concept of law.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
CprR: Critique of Practical Reason (edition of the Academy of Berlin and English translation by M.J. Gregor: I. Kant, Practical Philosophy, in: The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Immanuel Kant, Cambridge University Press, 1996). DR: The Metaphysics of Morals. The Doctrine of Right (edition of the Academy of Berlin and English translation by M. Gregor: I. Kant, The Metaphysics of Morals, Cambridge University Press, 1996).
GMM: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (edition of the Academy of Berlin and M. Gregor's translation of Practical Philosophy).
Toward Perpetual Peace (edition of the Academy of Berlin and M. Gregor's translation of Practical Philosophy).
Pedagogy (edition of the Academy of Berlin).
Byrd, S., 'Kants Theory of Punishment: Deterrence in its Threat, Retribution in its Execution', Law and Philosophy 8(2) (1989): 153-200.
Cohen, H., Schriften zur Philosophie und Zeitgeschichte, in A. Goerland and E. Cassirer (eds.) (Berlin, 1922).
Hill, T. E., 'Kant on Punishment:A Coherent Mix of Deterrence and Retribution?’ Jahrbuch für Recht und Ethik: Annual Review of Law and Ethics 5 (1997): 291-314.
Hill, T. E., 'Kant on Wrongdoing, Desert, and Punishment', Law and Philosophy 18 (1999): 407-441.
Höffe, O., 'VomStraf-und Begnadigungsrecht', O. Höffe (ed.), Kants Rechtslehre (Berlin, 1998), pp. 213-233.
Holtman, S., 'Toward Social Reform: Kant's Penal Theory Reinterpreted', Utilitas 9 (1997): 3-21.
Murphy, J. G., 'Does Kant Have a Theory of Punishment?’ Columbia Law Review 87 (1987): 509-532.
Pogge, T. W., 'Is Kant's Rechtslehre Comprehensive?', The Southern Journal of Philosophy XXXVI, Supplement (1997): 161-187.
Pugsley, R. A., 'A Retributivist Argument against Capital Punishment', Hofstra Law Review 9 (1981): 1501-1523.
Scheid, D. E., 'Kant's Retributivism', Ethics 93 (1983): 262-282.
Schwarzschild, S. S., 'Kantianism and the Death Penalty', Archiv für Rechts-und Sozialphilosophie 71 (1985): 343-377.
Shell, S. M., 'Kant on Punishment', Kantian Review 1 (1997): 115-136.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Merle, JC. A Kantian Critique of Kant's Theory of Punishment. Law and Philosophy 19, 311–338 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006497631400
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006497631400