What you'll learn
Religious and non-religious responses to good, evil, crime and suffering.
Crime and punishment
- Aims of punishment: deterrence, retribution, reformation (rehabilitation) and protection of society.
- Attitudes to the death penalty and to prison reform.
- The importance of justice and treating offenders humanely.
Forgiveness and reconciliation
- Many traditions stress forgiveness and reconciliation (e.g. Christian teaching to forgive).
- The tension between forgiveness and the need for justice.
The problem of evil and suffering
- Moral evil (caused by humans) and natural evil (e.g. disasters).
- The problem of evil: how a loving, powerful God allows suffering.
- Responses: free will, testing/soul-making, and suffering as a mystery.
Exam tips
- Learn the four aims of punishment and apply them to examples.
- For the problem of evil, present the challenge and at least two religious responses.
Common mistakes
- Confusing retribution with revenge.
- Giving only one aim of punishment when asked to evaluate.