Philosophy Salon February 16, 2007

West Roxbury Philosophy Salon
L’Essence Art Gallery and the Center for Naturalism
host
" Justifying Just Deserts: Is Retribution Necessary?"

February’s topic of the West Roxbury Philosophy Salon
with moderator Tom Clark

Friday, February 16th, 7:00-9:00 pm
L’Essence Art Gallery, 1723 Centre St., West Roxbury

Free and open to all. Coffee provided by Starbucks. For information call L’Essence Art Gallery (617) 325-0140. For readings and quotes on the topic, call the Center for Naturalism at (617)-480-8846, or visit: http://www.naturalism.org/wrps.htm

“When we punish someone for wrongdoing, whether by reprimand, fine, prison sentence or execution, we usually suppose the suffering or deprivation inflicted is deserved. Punishment also normally serves purposes such as public safety, deterrence, reform, and restitution. But retributivists say that even if none of these purposes were achieved by punishment, we should still punish on the basis of just deserts alone. What intuitions and claims about justice underlie this assertion? Need punishment serve a purpose, or is the suffering of the wrongdoer justification enough”?

L’Essence Art Gallery, in conjunction with the Center for Naturalism, hosts a discussion group series, the West Roxbury Philosophy Salon, to be held each month on the third Friday. The Philosophy Salon is a philosophy discussion group modeled on philosophy salons underway in other cities in Europe and the US. The goal is to present occasions for informal, relaxed philosophical discussion on topics of mutual interest to participants. No particular expertise is required to participate, only a desire to explore philosophy and its real world applications

Official Website: http://boston.zebratickets.com/event/4991/philosophy-salon