Compassion and Evil

This book examines the idea of punishment and some alternative humane methods of treating crime such as the public health-quarantine approach. A well-researched work on a subject of wide philosophical, legal, social, political and popular interest, it develops illuminating critiques of several important positions while also proposing a new and innovative approach to the key issues. It highlights how especially in societies with a weak welfare state and wide social and economic inequalities, punishment may sometimes be necessary for crime prevention even when such punishment is unjust, thus presenting a moral dilemma. The author shows the relevance of Gandhi’s practical idealism to such problems. The volume will be of interest to scholars and researchers of philosophy, law, politics, sociology, South Asian Studies as well as to general readers.