this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2024
165 points (94.6% liked)

Showerthoughts

29729 readers
499 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

That only follows if you believe that free will implies moral responsibility, and that moral responsibility means punishment must occur, and that that means more punishment must occur. Why doesn't moral responsibility mean less punishment? What about the moral responsibility of those meting out punishment?

And in either case, both concepts are intangible and immeasurable, so using them as justification for something as consequential as imprisonment means something else much more tangible and measurable is being hidden behind those concepts.

I think it's just the exercise of power. That's why moral responsibility is only ever used to punish and never to stay punishment, because those wielding the argument aren't interested in those arguments being used to limit their power, only to exercise it.

The only thing that matters is effectiveness to reduce harm, and that is basically never spoken about by those in favour of incarceration.