Sociology 2259 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Rational Agent, Deterrence Theory, Limited Government
20 Oct 2017
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Document Summary
From supernatural beliefs about deviance to the notion of deviance as a rational calculation (the deviant is a rational actor) Very much challenged the religious world view. Modern jurisprudence laws and principles that govern court decisions. Deviance: behaviour that eroded the greater good of society. Torture was futile not a means for salvation. Deterrence was emerging as the new way to control deviance. Clashing with religion and science over the notion of crime in particular. Development of a system to deal with deviant behaviour. 5 central tenants of the classical view: people are hedonistic (seek pleasure, avoid pain, people have free will, society represents a social contract, punishment: su ciently severe and predictable, goal of society: the greatest good for the greatest number. Change in thinking was spurred by several factors: law and punishment were arbitrary, unpredictable, torturous, etc, operated at the whims of judges, life was chaotic, social order was out of control.
