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Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

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Filippo Santoni de Sio, Delft <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Technology (f.santonidesio@tudelft.nl)In this paper I challenge the view that there is a clear-cut conceptual distinction between aninsanity defence and a plea <strong>of</strong> unfitness to plead, a view based on the distinction betweeninsanity as a doctrine <strong>of</strong> substantive law affecting the agent’s responsibility, and unfitness toplead as a doctrine <strong>of</strong> procedure affecting the legitimacy <strong>of</strong> trial. What this picture tends toconceal is the fact that responsibility has a diachronic nature, as far as it depends on the abilityon the part <strong>of</strong> the agent not only to act according to reason, but also to engage in a reflection onhis actions and the reasons for them. If so, a lack <strong>of</strong> the relevant capacities at the time <strong>of</strong> the trialmay impinge on the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fender, not only on the right to proceed with the trialagainst him. To highlight this point some cases <strong>of</strong> serious dissociation <strong>of</strong> personality are takeninto account. These cases are particularly interesting, ins<strong>of</strong>ar as they concern agents who didn’tmanifest any serious mental defect at the time <strong>of</strong> their wrongful action, nor at the time <strong>of</strong> trial.Still, doubts about these agents’ responsibility arise because <strong>of</strong> their apparent inability torecognize, at the time <strong>of</strong> trial, their actions as something that they did, for which they should nowanswer.Sane Enough for Execution (and Other Punishments)Nicole A Vincent, Macquarie <strong>University</strong> (nicole.vincent@mq.edu.au)What mental capacities should people have to be "sane enough" for punishment, and wouldmental capacities instilled, for example through forced medical treatment with anti-psychoticdrugs, suffice? I will argue that to answer these questions we must consider at least four factors.Firstly, whether we take the aim <strong>of</strong> punishment to be retribution, deterrence (specific or general),reform, rehabilitation, therapy, incapacitation, communication (to/with the public, to/withcriminals), expression <strong>of</strong> solidarity (with victims and their families), restoration <strong>of</strong> the law'sauthority, revenge, etc. Secondly, supposing that we settle on retribution, whether ourinterpretation <strong>of</strong> what retribution requires is merely that the party should suffer, or that theyshould also understand the state’s reasons for making them suffer, etc. Thirdly, what mode <strong>of</strong>punishment is proposed – e.g. execution, imprisonment, flogging, community service, fines, etc.And fourthly, a range <strong>of</strong> normative considerations might also come into play – for instance, ifretribution requires understanding <strong>of</strong> the state’s reasons for infliction <strong>of</strong> suffering, then whatdegree <strong>of</strong> understanding is required and why; if plural aims are being pursued (e.g. retributionand deterrence) then what is the relative importance <strong>of</strong> each aim; and why that particular mode(and degree) <strong>of</strong> punishment is seen as appropriate.151. Seeking ReformTitle T.B.A.358

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