本文之目的主要在檢視教育上運用懲罰的正當性。懲罰理論中應報論、嚇阻論及改造論，皆認為犯錯應罰。但以批判教育學及Foucault 的觀點來看，懲罰所依恃的規則及仰賴的權威實有疑義。再者，不當使用懲罰（體罰），對學生人權是一大侵犯。這些挑戰以往懲罰所恃的正當理據，已經使得教師必須重新思考教育上是否以及如何運用懲罰。

This study aims to reexamine the legitimacy of punishment exerted in education. Although the justifications of punishment theories, retributive theory, deterrent theory, and reformative theory, were widely acknowledged, Foucault and Critical pedagogists challenged the rule and authority in the modern Capitalist society. Moreover, corporal punishment is deemed as a serious damage to the human rights of students. Teachers need to reconsider the role and exertion of punishment.