Nathan Hanna

Nathan Hanna is an Associate Professor in the Department of English and Philosophy at Drexel University. He earned his PhD from Syracuse University in 2008 and has established himself as a prominent scholar in normative ethics and philosophy of law. His academic profile shows extensive publication activity focused primarily on punishment theory and criminal justice ethics.

Hanna's research interests center on normative ethics, philosophy of law, social and political philosophy, with particular focus on punishment theory. His work critically examines various justifications for legal punishment including retributivism, deterrence theory, and expressive theories. He frequently argues for abolitionist positions or significant reforms to punishment systems based on moral risk and philosophical uncertainty.

His publications demonstrate a consistent pattern of engaging with contemporary debates in punishment theory, often challenging established views. Hanna has developed sophisticated critiques of the concept of punitive intent, the moral risk inherent in punishment systems, and the philosophical foundations of desert-based justifications. His work spans meta-ethical questions about moral luck and desert to practical questions about criminal justice systems.

Hanna has participated in notable scholarly debates, particularly with Bill Wringe on the nature of punishment and whether it necessarily involves intent to harm. His recent publications (2020-2022) continue this engagement while expanding into arguments about the fundamental moral risk of legal punishment systems.

His advising and grant activity isn't explicitly detailed in the available information, but his extensive publication record spanning over 15 years suggests active research mentorship. His work appears in prominent philosophy journals including Philosophical Studies, Analysis, and Ethics journals, indicating significant scholarly impact in his field.