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 Allowed?"
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
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with MDs, JDs, PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to death penalty issues. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to death penalty issues.
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 Used for Retribution?
  2. Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed?
  3. Should Executions Be Made Public?