Last updated on: 11/10/2008 | Author: ProCon.org

Louis P. Pojman, PhD Biography

Title:
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at West Point Military Academy
Position:
Pro to the question "Should the Death Penalty Be Legal?"
Reasoning:

“Public executions of the convicted murderer would serve as a reminder that crime does not pay. Public executions of criminals seem an efficient way to communicate the message that if you shed innocent blood, you will pay a high price… I agree… on the matter of accountability but also believe such publicity would serve to deter homicide.”

“Why the Death Penalty Is Morally Permissible,” Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Best Case, Ed., Adam Bedau, 2004
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at West Point Military Academy, 1995-2004
  • Life-Fellow, Clare Hall, Cambridge University
  • Recipient, Superior Civilian Service Award by the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, July 2004
  • Visiting Scholar, Princeton University, 2001
  • Visiting Scholar, Brigham Young University, 1998
  • Professor, University of Mississippi, 1986-1995
  • Visiting Scholar, University of California at Berkeley, 1994
  • Visiting Scholar, New York University, 1991
  • Chair, University of Mississippi, 1987-1990
  • Associate Professor, University of Mississippi, 1984-1986
  • Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Dallas, 1979-1984
  • Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame, 1977-1979
  • Lecturer in Philosophy, Oxford University, 1973-1977
Education:
  • DPhil., Oxford University, 1977
  • PhD, Philosophy, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, 1972
  • MA, Philosophy, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, 1967
Other:
  • Anti-war and civil rights activist in the 1960s
Quoted in:
  1. Should the Death Penalty Be Legal?
  2. Should the Death Penalty Be Used for Retribution for Victims and/or Society?