Criminalisation Theory: A Metanormative Inquiry

【Host】　Institute of Comparative Law, Waseda University.
【Co-Host】　School of Law, Graduate School of Law, Waseda University.
【Date and Time】　October 24 (Sat.), 2026 15:00-17:30.
【Venue】　Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Waseda Campus.
【Lecturer】　Dr. JP Fassnidge (Lecturer in Law, University of Aberdeen).
【Language】　English (Japanese interpretation provided).
【Interpreter】　Miyu Nakata (Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Waseda University).
【Moderator】　Shin Matsuzawa (Professor, Faculty of Law, Waseda University).
【Audience】　Students, faculty, staff, and the general public are welcome to attend.
◆No registration required. Please come directly to the venue.

【Abstract】
This lecture explores a new methodological approach to understanding criminalisation theory and criminal law theory in general. The session draws upon Dr. JP Fassnidge’s (Lecturer in Law, University of Aberdeen) forthcoming monograph, Criminalisation Theory: A Metanormative Inquiry. Given the importance of explicitly stating one’s metanormative position and the metanormative implications of that theorising when constructing normative theories, the lecture addresses contemporary legal moralism, which treats the moral wrongness of conduct as a justifying reason for criminalisation, as well as normative theories that approach criminalisation from a more political perspective. It also examines how differences in metanormative viewpoints affect evaluations of how criminalisation ought to be, while considering the implications of these debates for comparing different criminal law systems.

Link to Japanese page.