Single Idea 7673

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 3. Punishment / b. Retribution for crime]

Full Idea

Kant believed in retributive punishment, because he thought that a man would prefer being sent to prison to going to hospital.

Gist of Idea

Retributive punishment is better than being sent to hospital for your crimes

Source

report of Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Isaiah Berlin - The Roots of Romanticism Ch.4

Book Reference

Berlin,Isaiah: 'The Roots of Romanticism' [Pimlico 2000], p.74


A Reaction

That is, even criminals welcome the dignity of being treated as if they are actually responsible for their deeds, and are not just victims of inner forces. Criminals demand free will! Truth is best, though; many of them are not responsible at all.