Crime, Responsibility, and the Law
GOV 94EM
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
One of the central questions of any political system is how to respond to those who violate the legally enforced norms of behavior that make up the criminal law. In this seminar, we will consider the philosophical justifications that have been given for the operation of the criminal justice system and, in particular, for the practice of punishing offenders. We will focus on the contrasting ideologies of retributivism and consequentialism and how those systems address moral principles such as responsibility, agency, blame, and desert as well as more practical concerns such as deterrence and public safety. Readings will be drawn from a wide range of sources, primarily political theory and law, but also the philosophy of mind, sociology, history, and neuroscience.
Class Notes
theory_subfield
public_policy
law_and_justice
Please note that you must enter the Gov 94 lottery by Monday, November 9th at 11:59 pm: https://www.gov.harvard.edu/undergraduate/academics/concentration-requirements/gov-94-seminars/. Priority will be given to Government concentrators. Results will be released on the evening of Tuesday, November 10th.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
