Abstract
Legal punishment has been subject to cacophonous debate and transformation throughout the history of American political and philosophical discourse. As a growing body of academic literature indicates a failure in the punitive techniques practiced by American institutions, the necessity for a precise diagnosis of such ailments paired with a new model addressing American concerns for reform remains increasingly pertinent. With due consideration to the previous recommendations of scholars, this paper illustrates the crisis in criminal justice currently felt in the United States. Through statistical, theoretical, and comparative analyses, existing alternatives are examined and an alternative fit to serve the United States’ social and political needs is sought. This paper seeks to connect past and present pitfalls with paradigmatic flaws afflicting the theoretical underpinnings of American criminal justice. Ultimately, a new set of principles is formed, providing renewed guidance for a more effective and just approach personalized to the American system’s prevailing disparities. Pragmatic models are illustrated, and policy strategies are made accordingly. Given the results of the examinations herein, the conclusion is met: upend the current paradigmatic requirements and reimagine the American philosophy of punishment or continue to see measures intending comprehensive reform fail.
Semester/Year of Award
Fall 11-28-2022
Mentor
Michael W. Austin
Mentor Department Affiliation
History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
Access Options
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
Bachelor Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Department
History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
Recommended Citation
McGee, Jon E., "Rejecting the Paradigm: Reimagining the Philosophy of Punishment To Address the Criminal Justice Crisis in Twenty-First Century America" (2022). Honors Theses. 919.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/919
