Defensive Desert

Philosophy &amp Public Affairs 2026 Open access

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Authors: William L. Bell
DOI: 10.1111/papa.70013
Cited by: 0
References: 27

Abstract

ABSTRACT When aiming to justify the infliction of harm upon a culpable wrongdoer, the notion of desert most readily finds its home within the context of punishment. Thus, according to one dominant theory of punishment, retributivism, a wrongdoer deserves the hard treatment constitutive of punishment. In this paper, I argue that desert can play a role in helping justify certain types of defensive action. Specifically, I aim to show how desert‐based reasons can help justify seemingly futile defensive efforts. Importantly, this justification does not stem from the idea that the victim of an attack may “draw against punishment” in seeking to avert a threat, but rather from the belief that culpable aggressors deserve to be resisted.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Philosophical Ethics and Theory War Ethics and Justification Criminal Law and Policy

Publication details

Journal / source
Philosophy &amp Public Affairs
Volume
54
Issue
2
Pages
105–115
Publication date
14 January 2026
Language
EN