While imposition of consequences that might look like "punishment" makes sense to me from many angles β deterrence, rehabilitation, providing closure to victims, protecting people's safety, and even just a desire for retribution β I just can't wrap my head around "x act deserves y punishment because That's How Things Ought To Be". Like, what's the actual underlying logic of "deserves punishment" outside of the various material ends that can be achieved through things that could be considered to fall within the category of "punishment"?
