Punishment for the Greater Good

Over the years, Adam Kolber has amassed powerful criticisms against retribution as a theory of punishment. Now he makes his boldest attack yet in Punishment for the Greater Good. Kolber's writing is lucid and engaging - a perfect introduction not only to punishment theory but to philosophical theorizing more generally. Readers from fields as diverse as law, philosophy, criminology, sociology, and political science will benefit from reading this book. Best of all, Kolber provides a larger framework within which to understand the vital debates about criminal justice reform that are going on in the United States and the world. Not everyone will agree with Kolber's arguments, but no one should ignore them. * Chad Flanders, Professor of Law, Saint Louis University School of Law *
Adam Kolber's good sense and sensitivity to the import of simple examples is on display in this wonderful book. It is essential reading for anyone puzzled by the concept of proportionality and interested in what could justify our excessive punishment practices. * Gideon Yaffe, Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld Professor of Jurisprudence, Yale Law School *
In an era in which most criminal law theorists are retributivists, Kolber defends a consequentialist approach to crime and criminals. Even if one is ultimately unconvinced by Kolber's defense and his attacks on retributivism and deontological morality, one will come away from the book with a clear idea of the arguments to which they must respond. * Lawrence Alexander, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, University of San Diego School of Law *
Adam Kolber is one of the leading penal theorists. In this magnificent work he provides an original and thoughtful defense of a consequentialist approach to punishment. The style is lucid and elegant. This is a must-read not only for those who have become used to the dominance of retributivist thinking in modern penal theory, but for anyone with an interest in the philosophy of punishment. * Jesper Ryberg, Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Law, Roskilde University *
Kolber argues that the theories need to be tested in terms of their effects in the real world. He concludes that consequentialist theories are superior since various experiments, including the abolition of prisons, can be measured in terms of their effects. Recommended. * Choice *