Crimes, Harms, and Wrongs - by A P Simester & Andreas Von Hirsch (Paperback)

About the Book

Crimes, Harms and Wrongs is a philosophical analysis of the nature, significance and ethical limits of criminalisation.

Book Synopsis

When should we make use of the criminal law? Crimes, Harms, and Wrongs offers a philosophical analysis of the nature and ethical limits of criminalisation. The authors explore the scope of harm-based prohibitions, proscriptions of offensive behaviour, and 'paternalistic' prohibitions aimed at preventing self-harm, developing guiding principles for these various grounds of state prohibition. Both authors have written extensively in the field. They have produced an integrated, accessible, philosophically-sophisticated account that will be of great interest to legal academics, philosophers, and advanced students alike.

Review Quotes

"...this elegant, closely argued and convincing book is of great value and can be expected to be of lasting influence." --Edinburgh Law Review, Volume 17

"...Crimes, Harms and Wrongs ... is a welcome addition to this field, and should clarify the reader's thinking on a breathtakingly broad range of issues...This is an important book, and one that should appeal to advanced students and academics with an interest in the proper extent of the criminal law.

...this book is remarkable for its careful analytical structure...the author's consistently and conscientiously draw distinctions which aid in the understanding of complex areas.

Those familiar with criminalisation theory already will definitely find this a rewarding and engaging book, which - through its structured and analytical approach - ought to provoke much thought and discussion. The book's consideration of not only Anglo-American theory and law, but also German legal doctrines and writings on criminalisation, should ensure that this debate reaches new heights in the future." --Social and Legal Studies, Volume 21, Number 2

"...the result of [the authors'] many decades of thought and writing on this fundamental subject is an integrated, accessible, philosophically sophisticated discussion of this subject." --Criminal Law Journal, Volume 36

"...A.P. Simester and Andreas von Hirsch present an informed and systematic account of the principles that, in their view, should structure decisions about what to criminalize, and when." --Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books

About the Author

A P Simester is Professor of Law and Provost's Chair at the National University of Singapore.

Andreas von Hirsch is Honorary Professor at the Law Faculty, Goethe-University Frankfurt, and Emeritus Honorary Professor of Penal Theory and Penal Law at the University of Cambridge.