Philosophical Study on the Appropriate Forms of Punishment Based on the Expressive Theory of Retribution

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K12932
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 01010:Philosophy and ethics-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University of Economics (2022); Sophia University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Nobutaka 大阪経済大学, 経営学部, 講師 (60823367)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 刑罰 / 応報 / 尊厳 / 平等 / 復讐 / 身体刑 / 修復的司法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study develops the retributive theory of punishment from the standpoint of the "expressive theory of retribution," which demands punishments in order to express the dignity of victims which was violated by criminal acts. Especially, this study analyses the concept of dignity which the expressive theory of retribution postulates, and clarifies the difference between retributive punishment and revenge, and considers what forms of punishment are appropriate to express the dignity of the victims, showing that legal corporal punishment, which is generally criticized on humanitarian grounds, can be morally justified.

Free Research Field

哲学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、表現的応報理論の立場から応報主義的な刑罰理論を発展させることにより、従来、直観レベルで一定の支持を集めながらもその根拠が不明瞭であるがゆえに否定的に評価されることも多かった応報主義の考え方を明確化して正当化することができるという意義をもつ。またこの理論の立場から適切な刑罰形態について考察することにより、しばしば批判の対象となってきた身体刑という刑罰形態が、条件次第では道徳的に正当化可能であることを明らかにし、刑罰制度を柔軟に改革する必要性を示すという意義をもつ。