応おう報ほう刑けい主しゅ義ぎ

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ほ

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しゅ

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Meanings

noun

retributivism; retributive justice

A legal and philosophical term referring to the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the crime, focusing on just deserts rather than deterrence or rehabilitation. Often contrasted with 目的刑主義 (utilitarian theories of punishment).

Kanji

応apply, answer, yes
報report, news, reward
刑punish, penalty, sentence
主lord, chief, master
義righteousness, justice, morality

Related words

応おう報ほう刑けい論ろん
応報刑論 is the theory or discourse of retributive punishment, while 応報刑主義 is the doctrine or principle itself. They are closely related and often used interchangeably in academic contexts.
目もく的てき刑けい主しゅ義ぎ
目的刑主義 is the opposing principle that punishment should serve a future purpose such as deterrence or rehabilitation, in contrast to the backward-looking focus of 応報刑主義.

Built from

応おう報ほう+刑けい+主しゅ義ぎ

Etymology

Compound of 応報 (retribution) + 刑 (punishment) + 主義 (principle/doctrine). The term is a direct translation of Western legal concepts such as 'retributivism' and entered Japanese legal vocabulary in the modern era.