CRIM 1650 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Age Of Enlightenment, Simple Explanation, Atavism

• School: York University
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRIM 1650
• Professor: James Williams

Document Summary

Early theories of criminology: theories about crime prior to 18th century were based of religious beliefs and superstitions, the judeo-christian offer two powerful explanations for the role of evil spirits play in sinful behaviour, temptation and possession. The classical school: considered the first formal school of criminology, beccaria the punishment should fit the crime. Two grounds: that this amount of punishment would be the most effective deterrent, and that this was the fairest way to punish those who were not deterred and those who choose to break the law. In other words, deviance was the natural result of our rational self-interests. If it suits us, and if we think we can get away with it, we will break the law. He sought to restrict this power by separating the lawmaking power of the legislature from the activities of the judges.