Suppose a friend of yours says that she's glad a murderer was recently sentenced to the gas chamber,because murderers deserve to die.Her comment implies that she accepts the ________ theory of punishment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement implies that the friend believes in punishment for its own sake, rather than for any practical benefit. This aligns with the retributive theory of punishment, which argues that criminals deserve to be punished for their wrongdoing, regardless of any potential benefits to society. The utilitarian theory, on the other hand, would focus on maximizing the overall benefits to society, such as deterrence or rehabilitation. The egoistic and abolitionist theories are not relevant to this statement.

Suppose a Friend of Yours Says That She's Glad a Murderer