The Pleasure of Punishment

This book explores the historical and contemporary pleasure of punishment, including its role in entertainment, moral judgment, and social justice. It argues that punishment has provided audiences with pleasure in various historical contexts and considers whether arguments about the carnivalesque character of cruelty can support the continued existence of penal pleasure.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Based on a comprehensive analysis of contemporary philosophical arguments, this book delves into the fascinating phenomenon of how punishment has provided audiences with pleasure in various historical contexts. From ancient Greece to medieval Catholic Europe, from early-modern absolutist states to the post-1968 Western world, observers have observed that watching tragedies, contemplating hell, attending executions, or imagining prisons have generated pleasure. However, this pleasure was often judged as morally problematic, raising questions about the desires satisfied and the nature of the enjoyment itself.

To address this issue, this book offers a comprehensive research synthesis that ties together existing work on the pleasure of punishment. It explores how the shared joys of punishment gradually disappeared from the public view at a precise historic conjuncture and examines whether arguments about the carnivalesque character of cruelty can provide support for the continued existence of penal pleasure.

Throughout the book, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges conventional notions of morality and explores the complex interplay between desire, punishment, and social justice. The author argues that deeply entwined with the desire for punishment is the desire for social justice, and that by understanding and addressing these desires, we can create a more just and equitable society.

This book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for students and scholars of criminology, sociology, philosophy, and anyone interested in the pleasures of punishment. It provides a thought-provoking exploration of a topic that has long been taboo but is essential to understanding the human condition. Whether you are seeking to expand your knowledge or engage in critical thinking, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to think differently.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 233 x 155 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367762230