I agree with you. We are determined by factors we do not control (genes, environment) The justification of criminal justice is to make an example to society th

I agree with you. We are determined by factors we do not control (genes, environment) The justification of criminal justice is to make an example to society that a behavior is unacceptable. Thus creating an environment where that behavior is discouraged. In my mind the environment is responsible for a criminal. The way we have chosen to punish their environment is to remove the individual from it. This brings shame to the family or splitting up a family or loss of income due to the person being removed. The person with the hardest punishment(in jail) is least responsible. In dictatorships they actually punish the family of the criminal, which is a contributing factor to how they can hold power. Everyone is more invested in everyone conforming. On the positive side, is parents feeling pride if their children succeed. We cannot give the success directly to the parents for raising their child, therefore they enjoy the success of their children by proxy, pride. This of course extends to every link being a product of their environment and thus, for now, we need the fiction of free will. How would a society that accepts there is no free will function? That would make a mind blowing sci-fi film or novel.