Attacking Punitive Retribution at Its Heart – A Restorative Justice Thrust

Abstract Restorative justice, aimed at restoring human relations instead of just punishing offenders, is often defended with reference to biblical values like reconciliation, forgiveness, and mercy. Advocates of retributivism, which is the philosophy that underlies the practice of punishing perpetra...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Willigenburg, Theo van 1960- (Author) ; Borght, Ed. A. J. G. van der 1956- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2021
In: International journal of public theology
Year: 2021, Volume: 15, Issue: 3, Pages: 401-425
IxTheo Classification:NCC Social ethics
Further subjects:B Forgiveness
B Restorative Justice
B Mercy
B justification of punishment
B Retributivism
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Summary:Abstract Restorative justice, aimed at restoring human relations instead of just punishing offenders, is often defended with reference to biblical values like reconciliation, forgiveness, and mercy. Advocates of retributivism, which is the philosophy that underlies the practice of punishing perpetrators with the sole goal of inflicting hardship on them, regularly ridicule such defenses. In response we will not directly defend restorative justice, but critically inquire in the main theoretical arguments with which advocates of retributivism seek to rationalize their view. We point out the weaknesses of these arguments and why we believe that restorative procedures can do much better in serving the goals of (criminal) justice.
ISSN:1569-7320
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal of public theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15697320-01530007