Text 1: Philosopher Dr. Helen Wu defends retributive justice. "Punishment responds to wrongdoing by imposing deserved consequences," Wu argues. "Justice requires that violations receive proportionate responses. Wrongdoers merit punishment."
Text 2: Criminal justice reformer Dr. Samuel Wright advocates restorative approaches. "Punishment focuses on inflicting harm rather than healing it," Wright contends. "Restorative justice brings offenders and victims together to repair relationships and address underlying causes."
Based on the texts, Wu and Wright differ primarily in their views about which aspect of justice?
Whether crime exists as a social phenomenon
The primary purpose of responding to wrongdoing
Whether legal systems are necessary
Who should administer justice
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Wu sees justice as imposing deserved consequences (backward-looking desert). Wright sees justice as healing and repair (forward-looking restoration). Different purposes.
- Evidence: Wu: "deserve"; Wright: "repair relationships."
- Reasoning: Same situation (wrongdoing), different response goals.
- Conclusion: Their disagreement centers on justice's purpose.
Choice A is incorrect because both acknowledge wrongdoing. Choice C is incorrect because both discuss organized responses. Choice D is incorrect because administration isn't debated.