Final answer:
Cesare Beccaria's view on crime and punishment corresponds to the statement that punishment should be proportionate to the crime's severity. His philosophy influenced the Eighth Amendment and the move towards a more just and rational criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cesare Beccaria, an 18th-century philosopher, believed in a rational approach to crime and punishment. His views are best represented by the statement A) Punishment should be proportionate to the severity of the crime. Beccaria argued against barbarous treatments and supported the idea that punishment should not be an act of vengeance, but should rather prevent the criminal from doing further harm to society while discouraging others from committing the same offense.
The debate over the effectiveness of different crime prevention strategies, such as deterrence and rehabilitation, continues to this day. Beccaria's legacy remains particularly relevant in the ongoing discussions about how to balance punishment with rehabilitation measures within the criminal justice system.