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Hsin-wen Lee’s Talk

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Hsin-wen Lee is Visiting Assistant Professor of Department of Public Policy at City University of Hong Kong

Rethinking Criminal Deterrence—The Deep Deterrence Theory 

 Time: Februrary 17th 2016 11:45am – 1:15pm
 
 Location: West Duke Building 101 (Kenan Institute)

Abstract: 

A deterrence theory of punishment holds that the institution of criminal punishment is morally justified because it serves to deter criminal offences. Because the fear of punishment is considered a major incentive in deterring crime, the deterrence theory is often associated with the idea of severe, disproportionate punishment. This garden-variety understanding of the deterrence theory is subject to two criticisms concerning failure to prescribe proportionate sentencing and treating offenders as mere means—which I briefly describe.

In this paper, I revisit the idea of criminal deterrence and defend a more plausible deterrence theory of punishment that I call the Deep Deterrence Theory. Drawing on insights from the early Confucian tradition, the Deep Theory holds that the most important motivation in deterring criminal offense is a person’s sense of honor and self-respect, not her fear of suffering. I then go on to consider how this theory responds to the two criticisms mentioned above and how it also improves upon earlier deterrence theories by meeting a minimum rationality requirement.

Key words: Crime, punishment, deterrence, deep deterrence, self-respect, honor

 

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