This article argues that the function of criminal law and of punishment consists in stabilizing norms by ascribing culpability. A theoretical and sociological examination of the mechanism of placing blame reveals that it consists of three elements. Blame is placed only if a capable addressee of norms is present (personhood), if this person was in the time of offending competent enough to question a norm (competence), and if this person actually communicated a negation of this norm (message). If these requirements are met, an act destabilizes the norm effectively, and punishment becomes necessary. The fault requirement therefore is crucial for fulfilling criminal law’s function, i.e. the stabilization of norms within society by means of punishment. In outlining the social importance of placing blame, this article establishes a basis for both a sociological approach to and a normative discussion regarding theories of punishment and of responsibility, and discloses that respecting the principle of culpability is not only an expression of justice but also one of social necessity.

中文翻译：

---

指责的重要性：刑法与规范的稳定

本文认为，刑法和刑罚的功能在于通过归咎于罪责来稳定规范。对指责机制的理论和社会学研究表明，它由三个要素组成。只有当有能力的规范对象在场（人格），如果此人在犯罪时有足够的能力质疑规范（能力），并且此人实际上传达了对该规范的否定（信息）时，才会受到指责。如果满足这些要求，行为就会有效地破坏规范，惩罚就变得必要了。因此，过错要求对于履行刑法的功能至关重要，即通过惩罚来稳定社会规范。在概述责备的社会重要性时，