Date of Award

6-2013

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Philosophy

First Advisor

Leonardo Zaibert

Language

English

Keywords

acions, theory, evil, moral, good, criminal law

Abstract

Actions are the basis for moral judgment. In this paper, I develop a concept of action that illustrates the differences between bad, evil, and sadistic actions. Using this theory of action, I apply it to punishment theory and the philosophy of criminal law. Bad and evil actions are defined by differences in their magnitude, as measured by the ability of the victim to recover from harm. I propose that sadistic actions comprise a qualitatively unique form of wrongdoing. They are performed following a bad or evil action with the intent to add insult to injury. I propose that within a retributivist framework, this theory of action allows for a more effective approach to punishing bad and evil actions. And within a consequentialist framework, this theory of action allows for a more effective approach to punishing sadistic actions.

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