tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-268099099981586721.post1618495908715153901..comments2023-09-01T03:50:01.667-07:00Comments on Indiscriminate Dust: Blame-ologyPhilboyd Studgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10926397147880047519noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-268099099981586721.post-6142992712531024612012-02-06T07:27:57.981-08:002012-02-06T07:27:57.981-08:00No, I think you nailed it, and that's really h...No, I think you nailed it, and that's really helpful! It might not be "just" or "right" or "dutiful" to punish. But it might still result in greater happiness to do so.Ivanhttp://fromwinetowater.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-268099099981586721.post-52860196985206440062012-02-05T18:25:15.441-08:002012-02-05T18:25:15.441-08:00The more I look, the less philosophical justificat...The more I look, the less philosophical justification I can see for any kind of punishment. But I wouldn't dream of telling you - a teacher - that there is no justification for punishment at all. I suppose some punishment is necessary from a utilitarian standpoint - but as an anarchist, I'd add that that necessity might be a function of a system (the schooling system and, more broadly, the State with its slums and so on) that is founded on principles of authority and punishment. If you create little oases within that system (or, speaking fantastically, smash the system,) then you might not need to punish anybody. Of course, this is mostly pie-in-the-sky stuff.<br /><br />Wrapping up, I think what you're identifying is a disconnect between deontology and utilitarianism: people in no way merit any kind of punishment, but it nevertheless is necessary to punish them for the happiness of others. (Unless you're speaking from deontological intuitions, in which case I've misunderstood.)Philboyd Studgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10926397147880047519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-268099099981586721.post-53216516036759479122012-02-02T06:17:01.928-08:002012-02-02T06:17:01.928-08:00Great questions, Philboyd. I have one thought to o...Great questions, Philboyd. I have one thought to offer. I have a post scheduled where I brush up against the issue of blame with regard to those of my students who’ve grown up in really rough environments, and become criminals largely or wholly because of it. In what sense, and to what extent, can they be personally blamed? Along the same lines, one can look more broadly, and perhaps more philosophically, at responsibility, nature, nurture, determinism, whatever—and ask in what sense, and to what extent, anyone can really be blamed for anything. And I have no earthly idea how to answer those questions. The only thought I have to offer is that external trappings of blame, such as disapproval and punishment, still seem to be practical necessities, no matter what one’s underlying philosophy. For example, when someone grows up in a terrible home in a terrible neighborhood, has crushing odds against them, suffers through failing schools and personal and structural racism, etc., and ends up shooting someone—it may be misguided or untruthful to blame them. But I’m strongly inclined to think that we should still punish them.Ivanhttp://fromwinetowater.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com