It is not enough to establish a legal justification for punishment; society must also establish the ______ justification for it.

A) cost-benefit
B) public
C) moral
D) historical

Moral justification is necessary for punishment because it ensures that the punishment is based on a shared set of values and principles that uphold justice and fairness in the society. Without moral justification, punishment can become arbitrary and unjustified, leading to a loss of trust in the criminal justice system. Cost-benefit justification may be helpful in assessing the effectiveness of specific punishments, but it does not address the underlying moral principles that guide punishment. Public and historical justifications may inform the public discourse around punishment, but they do not necessarily provide a sufficient moral basis for punishment.