Prof. Dr Dr Volker Boehme-Neßler
Department of Economics and Law

Moderation: NDR 1 Niedersachsen

Gong: Simon (9 years old)
Camera: Stine (9 years old)

A footballer who fouls gets a yellow card. A student who depreciates gets an F. If you rob a bank, you go to prison. Anyone who does something wrong is punished. Does punishment have to be? Or could it be completely different?

Punishment is linked to rules. Anyone who breaks a rule or a law is punished. In our world, there are an incredible number of rules and laws that can be broken. Why do we need them? Wouldn't the world be nicer without so many rules? And so many laws - don't they restrict our freedom?

We want to explore these questions in the lecture. They are not new. For thousands of years, people have been thinking about whether laws and punishments are needed. That's no wonder. After all, it is also about the fundamental problem of how millions of people can live together peacefully.

There is also a research workshop on this topic at the Oldenburg State Theatre.