Final answer:
The notion that individuals choose to commit crimes was revolutionary as it introduced the concept of personal agency in criminal behavior, challenging deterministic views and influencing criminal justice reforms and prevention strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discovery that people choose to commit crimes was revolutionary because it shifted our understanding from a deterministic view of human behavior to one that recognizes personal agency. Previously, crime was often attributed to factors beyond individual control, such as poverty, lack of education, or a poor environment. However, under the new perspective, crime is seen as a result of rational decision-making where individuals assess the potential benefits and costs associated with committing a crime. This understanding has profound implications for the criminal justice system and how society seeks to prevent and rehabilitate criminal behavior. For instance, in economics, the cost-benefit analysis can be employed to understand why an individual might choose to engage in criminal activities. Conversely, hard determinism posits that individuals are not truly free to make choices due to underlying conditioning or brain functionality. This view challenges the philosophical concepts of free will and personal responsibility as they relate to legal culpability and punishment.
The interplay of these views has resulted in varying approaches to law enforcement and reforms in the criminal justice system. It has led to questions about how to effectively reprogram or recondition criminals apart from adopting punitive measures. Historical shifts, such as the reduction of capital offenses and the end of public hangings, reflect gradual changes in society's attitudes towards justice and human rights. Moreover, the so-called 'war on drugs' in America illustrates how cultural politics influences the strategies used to combat crime, often leading to an increase in prison populations. Lastly, sociological theories like those of Socrates on moral understanding and C. Wright Mills on social class and power dynamics highlight the complexity of what influences criminal behavior.