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Legal Terms - classical school of criminology
one of the two *criminology major schools. It dates back to the 18th century and is based on the philosophical theory of *utilitarianism. According to this theory, people are self-aware, rational beings who make their own decisions. When presented with options, they will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each and take the course of action that will maximize their enjoyment and minimize their suffering. This explains why there is crime and why a reasonable penal code is required, whereby the possibility of punishment serves as a deterrent to criminal activity. Penalties must be definite, fast, and appropriate for the offense in order to serve as an effective deterrence.
The *positivist school of criminology emerged in the late 19th century as a counter to the classical school. It emphasizes the different social and psychological factors that might lead an individual to commit crimes while downplaying the importance of free choice. The so-called rational choice theory, which emphasizes the opportunistic element in many crimes and the need of monitoring and environmental design (such as improved street lighting) in crime prevention, has brought some elements of the classical approach back to life more recently.
one of the two *criminology major schools. It dates back to the 18th century and is based on the philosophical theory of *utilitarianism. According to this theory, people are self-aware, rational beings who make their own decisions. When presented with options, they will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each and take the course of action that will maximize their enjoyment and minimize their suffering. This explains why there is crime and why a reasonable penal code is required, whereby the possibility of punishment serves as a deterrent to criminal activity. Penalties must be definite, fast, and appropriate for the offense in order to serve as an effective deterrence.
The *positivist school of criminology emerged in the late 19th century as a counter to the classical school. It emphasizes the different social and psychological factors that might lead an individual to commit crimes while downplaying the importance of free choice. The so-called rational choice theory, which emphasizes the opportunistic element in many crimes and the need of monitoring and environmental design (such as improved street lighting) in crime prevention, has brought some elements of the classical approach back to life more recently.
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