Capital punishment constitutes one of the oldest and most persistent problems of philosophical reflection. It is, as is well known, a topic that has occupied the most brilliant minds of humanity at least since the time of Plato and Aristotle. Far from being a definitively resolved question, however, it continues to raise fundamental questions that justify rigorous, interdisciplinary philosophical examination. In this sense, this symposium seeks to foster a space for critical discussion of its foundations and scope, incorporating perspectives from moral philosophy, ethics, philosophy of law, contemporary human rights studies, law, history and the social sciences.
Given its intrinsic importance, this problem is connected to a multitude of factual or empirical issues, as well as to historical, legal, political and social situations of a highly varied nature. When examined exclusively from this perspective, it can become a matter of calculations, considerations of political expediency or other contingent interests, and can easily be turned into a banner for the most varied positions. Although it often becomes an issue dominated by visceral positions, it need not be so. Those of us organizing this symposium believe it necessary to invite those who find in this topic a subject worthy of philosophical and interdisciplinary study to contribute rigorous conceptual analyses of the concept of “capital punishment,” discussing the ethical grounding of its acceptance or rejection and, on the basis of objective reflection, moving from the realm of abstract analysis toward the field of applications and decision-making.
The topic of capital punishment has often been relegated from the realm of free public discussion. It is, however, a legitimate subject of research that deserves critical examination, both to reinforce and to question the different points of view that can be held on the matter. Precisely because of its complexity, it also constitutes a central problem for human rights, since it involves aspects such as human dignity, the right to life, the legitimacy of state punishment, and the limits of political authority. From the philosophy of punishment, it raises fundamental questions about the nature of criminal sanction, its legitimate ends, and the relationship among justice, retribution, prevention and proportionality.
The topic can be approached from perspectives as diverse as moral philosophy to legal, historical and social studies. Accordingly, we invite the submission of original papers addressing the question of capital punishment from philosophical and interdisciplinary approaches. We will accept works that critically examine classic and contemporary positions on the death penalty, their epistemological, moral and legal foundations, their implications for current political life, and their relevance for the future of our societies. Our objective is to promote a critical, interdisciplinary debate grounded in clear and solid arguments.
