Thursday, December 16, 2010

On Crimes and Punishments

I employed some concepts such as rationalism, the social contract, and utility. I made these new ideas my own and try to ensue ideas about unfair punishment to the government. I feel there is no reason to practice capital punishment because the use of imprisonment can keep determined criminals out of the the streets and would surely be sufficient. "For a punishment to be just it should consist of only such gradations of intensity as suffice to deter men from committing crimes." The use of unfair conviction should not be considered either because men of higher rank may receive special privileges that lead to minor punishments while the regular citizens are charged with larger crimes. I also believe that the crimes charged should be adjusted to the severity of the crime. Different crimes should have different punishments such as non-harmful crimes and physically harmful crimes. The criminal system should try to prevent the same criminals from committing the same crime again. It is unfair to humanity if the death penalty is advocated by instead, put all criminals the committed severe crimes to be imprisoned for life. Other smaller crimes on owned property should be fined instead of facing cruel punishments.

4 comments:

Herbert von Karajan said...

I sincerely congratulate on publishing of your very valuable essay.
As one of founding fathers of America, advocate of equality among people, I find this document very useful and honorable.
I and my fellow founding fathers of America decided to use this document on writing the Bill of Rights and Constitution for America.

Sigmund Freud said...

Marquis Beccaria,
I commend you in the publishing of your work, it is a very powerful piece. Indeed I also believe in the rights due to all men, regardless of status, including the right to life and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, especially over proportionally minor offenses.
Respectfully yours,
Thomas Paine

Anonymous said...

Monsieur Beccaria,
I agree with your thoughts that capital punishment is too harsh. Your ideas may make the people happy and bring a feeling of freedom and security. I do also believe that punishment should be judged on how heavy the crime is. I also feel that there is no need to waste the lives of the people who care about there families and friends. These Ideas are spectacular in making people happy.
Sinceremente,
Charles de Montesquieu

Unknown said...

Thanks a lot for publishing an essay! Of course, punishment should be judged on how heavy the crime is! More detailed information on this issue can be found at cesare bessay on crimes and punishments

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