Morality & Justice: Causes of Crime

Question 1

Poverty?

Answer 1

Person might commit crime as they are in poverty e.g. stealing food out of desperation

Question 2

Moral Issues from Poverty?

Answer 2

• Whether it is really a choice for the person to commit the crime as they are in a desperate situation, and as such is it really fair to punish them?
• Issues around impact of punishment e.g. sentencing someone to prison will affect ability to get a job, putting them into more poverty

Question 3

Christian View of Poverty?

Answer 3

• Wealthy should be charitable & use wealth to ensure everyone has enough for their needs.
• Punishment takes into account circumstances

Question 4

Secular View of Poverty?

Answer 4

• Have to create a kind of society where poverty & economic imbalance is eradicated, meaning no need to commit crime of economic factors
• If we want to do it we have to do it ourselves & involve new laws, governments etc. Can just as well be achieved by an individual refusing to buy products which have been produced through exploitation

Question 5

Environmental?

Answer 5

Person might commit crime because of their environment e.g. environment full of crime in which brought up in so they may also turn to crime

Question 6

Moral issues from Environmental?

Answer 6

• Isn’t just offender who can be affected, could result in children being put into care too
• Raises issue of are we doing enough to help these people, so they don’t turn to crime

Question 7

Christian View of Environmental?

Answer 7

• Believe that in creating Kingdom of God on Earth they will then create a society in which crime would become thing of past

Question 8

Secular View of Environmental?

Answer 8

• World is what we make of it
• We have to live in whatever kind of world we create for ourselves
• As a society, we have responsibilities towards each other to model positive behaviours, set realistic standards for behaviour & ensure all have equal chance of a meaningful/purposeful life
• Ultimately leading to criminal activities become unnecessary

Question 9

Psychological Factors?

Answer 9

Person may commit a crime due to a severe mental health issue that prevents them from realising what they are doing at the time

Question 10

Moral Issues from Psychological Factors?

Answer 10

• Whether the person can be held responsible for their actions when they may not have been in control of their behaviour
• When sentencing since these crimes were not premeditated and therefore punishing them as a form of deterrence would be ineffective
• Treatment of prisoners with mental health issues and their treatment in prison and the effect

Question 11

Christian View of Psychological Factors?

Answer 11

• Praying for someone to get better
• Ensuring there is enough help for those with psychological problems eg. Finances, NHS &
  Private care, Self-help groups & Support networks

Question 12

Secular View of Psychological Factors?

Answer 12

• Scottish Association for Mental Health – Offers help and support for addicts, unemployed & people struggling with suicide