II. On retributivism and deterrence

Alan Wertheimer claims the class of criminals who deserve punishment is identical with the class of criminals who are deferrable (Inquiry, Vol. 20 [1977]). According to Wertheimer this premise implies the conclusion that on ‘the retributive account . . . the guilty are punished because we expect to alter (at least some) criminal behavior’. It is argued that this premise does not imply the conclusion.