L5 / CH7 Flashcards
What is verification? What is the main problem of verification?
Verification is the process of testing and confirming the truth of a theory through empirical evidence. The main problem is that it is often impossible to verify a theory definitively, as future observations might contradict it.
* Logical form: A ⊃ B; A, therefore B
* Universal form: ∀x((P(x)→Q(x))
What is falsification? Why is it the next step for empirical demarcation of science from other forms of knowledge?
Falsification is the process of disproving a theory by demonstrating that it fails to predict or explain certain observations. It is crucial for distinguishing science from other forms of knowledge because good theories must be testable and disprovable to be considered scientific
Please describe the main goals of Panopticon.
The main goals of the Panopticon were to create a structure that allowed a single guard to observe all inmates without them knowing whether or not they were being watched, enforcing self-discipline and control .
Please describe the architecture of Panopticon and its role in control of prisoners.
The Panopticon is circular, with “cells” arranged around a central observation tower, divided by one another, so the prisoners were secluded from all communication with each other. the observation tower enabled constant surveillance and control over prisoners
Please describe the tools of prisoner’s control inside Panopticon.
Tools of control in the Panopticon include constant visibility, the psychological impact of potential surveillance (self-regulation), and the physical separation of prisoners to prevent communication
Please describe what Panopticism is.
Panopticism is a social theory named after the Panopticon, suggesting that modern society increasingly resembles this structure, controlling behavior through the illusion of constant surveillance, leading individuals to regulate their actions on their own as if they are always being observed .
Please describe some examples of Panopticism in our life.
Examples include CCTV cameras in public places, online surveillance, and workplace monitoring systems where the potential of being watched modifies behavior .
Define and describe scientific theory.
a set of interconnected ideas or propositions that explain and predict phenomena in the natural world, based on empirical evidence and logical reasoning. It must be testable, logical, and parsimonious, providing a framework for understanding reality.
Why Do We Need Theories?
Theories are essential because they provide frameworks for understanding phenomena, guiding research, and helping to predict future occurrences or behaviors.
How can we test theories?
Theories can be tested through empirical research, including experiments, observations, and statistical analysis.
How can criminological theories influence social policy?
Criminological theories guide the development of laws, crime prevention strategies, and criminal justice policies by providing insights into the causes of crime and strategies for prevention
Characterize the Classical school of criminology.
emphasized free will, rationality, individual culpability, and the idea that humans seek pleasure and avoid pain (hedonists); it advocated for fair trials, proportional punishment, and opposed the use of torture and the death penalty.
in our modern justice system, we have the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial, the right to know the case against you, etc.
the legal concept of mens rea is linked to classical school notions
Jeremy Bentham and his Panopticon.
Jeremy Bentham proposed the Panopticon as a prison design that allows a single guard to observe all inmates without them knowing if they are being watched, thereby encouraging self-regulation among prisoners through the uncertainty of surveillance.
Characterize the Positivist school in criminology.
The Positivist School in criminology applies the scientific method to the study of crime, asserting that criminal behavior is predetermined by biological, psychological, and social factors rather than free will; emphasizes that criminals are “born” rather than “made,” highlighting the influence of genetics and evolutionary circumstances.
Criticism of the Positivist school in criminology.
The Positivist School in criminology is criticized for its belief that criminals can be identified by physical traits and for ignoring the role of social factors like poverty and education. It also faced backlash for supporting eugenics, leading to inhumane practices like forced sterilization and the idea that criminal traits could be eliminated through selective breeding.
