Classical Criminology Essay

There are many different perspectives and schools of thought when it comes to the study of crime. One such theoretical perspective is known as classical criminology, which can be traced back to the early 18th Century. Ideas of the Enlightenment which took place around this time, contributed to foundation philosophies of classicism (Carrabine et al., 2014). The notions of reason and science were beginning to take hold across areas such as political and social spheres of society, so unsurprisingly influenced the way people thought about crime (Bradley & Walters, 2005). Classicism reflected the fundamental aspects of the Enlightenment (science, reason, practicality) in the way it approached dealing with the problem of crime (Taylor, Walton, & Young, 2013). The methods of dealing with crime before the introduction of classical thought were harsh and unjust (Bradley & Walters, 2005).
Equality before the law is a fundamental aspect of this theory (Burke, 2013). However it has long been debated whether equality is possible in such a matter. Classicism wanted a system for dealing with crime which was fair and just on all levels of the process, irrespective of the offenders’ class, wealth or background (Taylor, Walton, & Young, 2013). However, there is substantial evidence which works against this idea of equality. Prejudices and biases still have a dramatic influence at all stages of the criminal justice system. The focus was on the crime and the crime alone, which is reflected in the legal system and the way laws are set, so that whoever commits the same act receives the same punishment (Bradley & Walters, 2005). The theory didn’t seek to understand why the crime was being committed, which is arguably a crucial factor to understand in wanting to reduce crime