Institute of Criminology Public Seminars: 'Criminology, Philosophy and Christian Theology'

Speaker: Professor Andrew Millie, Professor of Criminology, Edge Hill University

This seminar brings together perspectives from criminology, philosophy and Christian theology. It is argued that there is much that criminology can learn from philosophy and theology – and perhaps that philosophy and theology can learn from the real and dirty world of criminology. But criminology is often selective in how it engages with philosophy, and theology is either ignored or viewed with suspicion. For this seminar Millie draws on Kantian ideas of dignity and Paul Ricoeur’s work on a Christian economy of gift as an alternative to an economy of equivalence. The focus is on ideas of retribution and reconciliation. Despite the Old Testament lex talionis, or an eye-for-an-eye, much Christian theology and doctrine privileges reconciliation over retribution and offers a fundamental alternative to criminal justice orthodoxy. With prisons in a dangerous state, it is possible that something more radical is needed that provides a gift of hope as an alternative to the pains offered by punishment. Millie argues that this may perhaps be found at the intersection between criminology, philosophy and Christian theology.

This seminar starts at 5.30pm, and will be held in Seminar Room B3, Institute of Criminology, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DA. A drinks reception in the basement foyer will follow this seminar for attendees.

The IoC Public Seminar Series is open to all interested in attending, with no ticket required. If you wish to be added to the seminar mailing list, please contact: enquiries@cim.cam.ac.uk