David Boonin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is the author of A Defense of Abortion and Thomas Hobbes and the Science of Moral Virtue, as well as numerous articles on a variety of topics in ethics and applied ethics.

'David Boonin's book … combines an incredible command of the literature with an organized and careful discussion … this is the best book ever written on the philosophy of punishment … must reading for anyone who wants to explore the moral status of punishment.' Stephen Kershnar, State University of New York, Fredonia

• 1. The problem of punishment; 2. The consequentialist solution; 3. The retributivist solution; 4. Other solutions; 5. The appeal to necessity.

David Boonin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is the author of A Defense of Abortion and Thomas Hobbes and the Science of Moral Virtue, as well as numerous articles on a variety of topics in ethics and applied ethics.

'David Boonin's book … combines an incredible command of the literature with an organized and careful discussion … this is the best book ever written on the philosophy of punishment … must reading for anyone who wants to explore the moral status of punishment.' Stephen Kershnar, State University of New York, Fredonia

• 1. The problem of punishment; 2. The consequentialist solution; 3. The retributivist solution; 4. Other solutions; 5. The appeal to necessity.

David Boonin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is the author of A Defense of Abortion and Thomas Hobbes and the Science of Moral Virtue, as well as numerous articles on a variety of topics in ethics and applied ethics.

'David Boonin's book … combines an incredible command of the literature with an organized and careful discussion … this is the best book ever written on the philosophy of punishment … must reading for anyone who wants to explore the moral status of punishment.' Stephen Kershnar, State University of New York, Fredonia

• 1. The problem of punishment; 2. The consequentialist solution; 3. The retributivist solution; 4. Other solutions; 5. The appeal to necessity.