This book investigates the foundational principles of criminal responsibility by applying a systematic retributivist framework to the structure of criminal law. Michael S. Moore, a prominent legal theorist, utilizes his extensive background in jurisprudence and philosophy to argue for a desert-based model of punishment. He examines the logical consistency of legal doctrines against the moral requirements of retributivism, providing a rigorous analysis of how criminal law should function to achieve justice.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of moral philosophy and criminal jurisprudence. Experts note the high level of academic density and the rigorous logical structure that characterizes Moore's approach to legal theory.