Week Five - School Of Thought: Classicism Flashcards
What was the thinking about what caused criminality before Classicism?
Before classicism, the dominant form of thinking about what caused criminality was that criminals were thought to be possessed by demons who forced them to do wicked things.
It was the first attempt at..
It was the first attempt at logical penal system –vs religion, superstition
What were the key ideas of Classicism?
Punishment should fit crime
People are rational creatures - seek pleasure, avoid pain
Torture is useless
Criminals owe debt to society
People possess free will
Use of prisons should be extended and improved
Why was Classicism developed?
It was developed as an antidote to the brutal, capricious power exercised by the former criminal justice systems.
Who were the dominant thinkers of the day?
John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
Rousseau
All three were critical of the arbitrary powers by monarchs/kings and aristocracy
John Locke…
Voluntary agreement by citizens gives political power to governors
Thomas Hobbes..
Negative view of human behavior without social institutions to support social contracts and laws to enforce them
Rousseau..
Citizens should be educated to prefer the community over private self-interest
What was the view about criminals?
Criminals owe a debt to society.
Offenders should pay compensation
What happened as a result of Classicism?
As a result of Classicism sentences became more individualised
However, putting classical theories into practice exposed weaknesses…
Ignored differences between individuals
1st offenders and recidivists treated the same
Children and people with mental health issues were treated as fully rational and competent
Most Western Criminal Systems..
Most Western Criminal Justice Systems based on a compromise between Classicism and Positivism
