Follow your curiosity

What discovery has been shared with you?

FACTREE gives you something interesting to discover every day — and something worth talking about together.

Start with one fact. Explore it, go deeper, then follow whichever branch catches your imagination.

Choose subjects for a surprise

Exploring any topic

Begin your discovery

Your next discovery is one click away.

Choose one or more subjects above, or leave Any Topic selected and let curiosity decide.

Philosophy

The Ethics of Punishment: Retributivism vs. Utilitarianism

Quick fact

The philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that even if a society were about to dissolve, the last murderer in prison must be executed—because justice requires it, regardless of any future benefit.

Why this is interesting

Imagine a thief steals a loaf of bread. Should he be punished because he deserves it, or because punishing him will prevent future crimes? The answer reveals a 2,000-year-old philosophical battle.