Placing Blame

This is a collection of essays written by Moore which form a thorough examination of the theory of criminal responsibility. The author covers a wide range of topics, giving the book a coherence and unity which is rare in assembled essays. Perhaps the most significant feature of this book isMoore's espousal of a retributivist theory of punishment. This anti-utilitarian standpoint is a common thread throughout the book. It is also a trend which is currently manifesting itself in all areas of moral, political and legal philosophy, but Moore is one of the first to apply such attitudes sosytematically to criminal law theory. As such, this innovative, new book will be of great interest to all scholars in this field.

With this volume, Michael Moore offers the first thorough examination of the retributivist theory of the criminal law. He not only defends the theory, but also details the implications it would have for the general structure of criminal law.

Faith in the power and righteousness of retribution has taken over the American criminal justice system. Approaching punishment and responsibility from a philosophical perspective, Erin Kelly challenges the moralism behind harsh treatment of criminal offenders and calls into question our society’s commitment to mass incarceration. The Limits of Blame takes issue with a criminal justice system that aligns legal criteria of guilt with moral criteria of blameworthiness. Many incarcerated people do not meet the criteria of blameworthiness, even when they are guilty of crimes. Kelly underscores the problems of exaggerating what criminal guilt indicates, particularly when it is tied to the illusion that we know how long and in what ways criminals should suffer. Our practice of assigning blame has gone beyond a pragmatic need for protection and a moral need to repudiate harmful acts publicly. It represents a desire for retribution that normalizes excessive punishment. Appreciating the limits of moral blame critically undermines a commonplace rationale for long and brutal punishment practices. Kelly proposes that we abandon our culture of blame and aim at reducing serious crime rather than imposing retribution. Were we to refocus our perspective to fit the relevant moral circumstances and legal criteria, we could endorse a humane, appropriately limited, and more productive approach to criminal justice.

Huneven's third book is a spellbinding novel of guilt and love, family and shame, sobriety and the lack of it, and the moral ambiguities that ensnare us all.

What is it to blame someone, and when are would-be blamers in a position to do so? What function does blame serve in our lives, and is it a valuable way of relating to one another? The essays in this volume explore answers to these and related questions.

Blame is an unpopular & neglected notion that goes against the grain of a therapeutically-orientated culture & has received relatively little philosophical attention. George Sher discusses questions about the nature, normative status & the relation to character of blame, arguing that it is inseparable from morality itself.

Analyses and compares political blame games in Western democracies to show how democratic political systems manage policy controversies.

The true story of how Hollywood musicals got one person through school, depression, and the challenges of parenthood Inspired by the visual richness and cinematic structure of the Hollywood musical, Blame This on the Boogie chronicles the adventures of a Filipino American girl born in the decade of disco who escapes life's hardships and mundanity through the genre's feel-good song-and-dance numbers. Rina Ayuyang explores how the glowing charm of the silver screen can transform reality, shaping a person's approach to childhood, relationships, sports, reality TV, and eventually politics, parenthood, and mortality. Ayuyang's comics are as vibrant as the movies that she loves. Her deeply personal, moving stories unveil the magic of the world around us--rendering the ordinary extraordinary through a jazzed-up song-and-dance routine. Ayuyang showcases the way her love of musicals became a form of therapeutic distraction to circumnavigate a childhood of dealing with cultural differences, her struggles with postpartum depression, and an adulthood overshadowed by an increasingly frightening and depressing political climate. Blame This on the Boogie is Ayuyang's ode to the melody of the world, and shows how tuning out of life and into the magic of Hollywood can actually help an outsider find her place in it.

We will explore the intriguing phenomenon of blame-shifting and delve into why understanding this behavior is essential for personal growth and building healthy relationships. We will also provide a preview of the main arguments that will be explored throughout the book. Blame-shifting is a common behavior observed in individuals when they assign responsibility for their actions or mistakes to others, avoiding personal accountability. It is a complex psychological defense mechanism that can have significant implications in various aspects of our lives. To embark on a journey of comprehending why people engage in blame-shifting, we first need to understand the concept itself. Blame can be defined as the act of holding someone responsible for a fault or problem. In society, blame often serves a purpose by encouraging individuals to take ownership of their actions and work towards rectifying the situation. However, blame-shifting involves deflecting blame onto others, sidestepping one's own culpability. Recognizing and understanding blame-shifting is crucial for personal growth. By embracing accountability, we can learn from our mistakes, grow as individuals, and develop stronger self-awareness. Moreover, accepting responsibility allows us to build healthier relationships based on trust, empathy, and open communication. Throughout this book, we will explore the underlying psychological factors that contribute to blame-shifting behavior. Fear of repercussions is one such factor. People may shift blame to avoid punishment, negative consequences, or social stigma. We will analyze how this fear-driven behavior inhibits personal growth and hampers relationship dynamics.