The Living Death of Solitary Confinement

Thursday, February 1, 2018 - 7:00 pm

Lisa Guenther, Queen's National Scholar in Political Philosophy and Critical Prison Studies at Queen's University in Canada, will present "The Living Death of Solitary Confinement." Guenther will discuss the profound effect of isolation on a person's thought, feeling, perception, memory and personal identity when subjected to solitary confinement. Some say this compares to a "living death," since many find it difficult to come back to life, even after they are released from prison. What does this living death suggestion about the philosophical understanding of personhood? And how might a philosophical critique of solitary confinement lead us to re-think punishment and accountability in the United States? For more information, contact Francis Degnin at francis.degnin@uni.edu or 273-3015.

Location: 
Room 002, Sabin Hall
Contact Information
Name: 
Jerry Soneson
Phone: 
(319) 273-6221
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