Question

The police have arrested Joseph for assaulting a coworker. He resembles our common perception of a criminal. Which statement best describes the argument that the classical school of thought presents?

A.
Joseph is a criminaloid; a negative social environment has influenced his criminal tendencies.
B.
Joseph could suffer from brain damage that may have affected his nervous system, which in turn has made him violent.
C.
Joseph has made a rational choice to commit a crime and he deserves a punishment that deters him from doing so in the future.
D.
Joseph could be suffering from a personality disorder that has led him to commit such a crime.
E.
Joseph has traits, such as impatience and aggression, that have combined with a negative work environment, making him violent.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes the argument presented by the classical school of thought is:

C. Joseph has made a rational choice to commit a crime, and he deserves a punishment that deters him from doing so in the future.

The classical school of thought emphasizes the concept of free will and rational decision-making in committing crimes. According to this perspective, individuals are seen as rational beings who weigh the potential benefits and consequences of their actions. If someone chooses to commit a crime, they are believed to have made a conscious decision and should be held accountable for their actions through appropriate punishment.

This viewpoint focuses on the idea of deterrence, where the severity of punishment is intended to discourage individuals from engaging in criminal behavior. It assumes that individuals have the ability to make rational choices and that imposing punishments can serve as a deterrent to prevent future crimes.

It is important to note that this perspective does not consider external factors, such as social environment, brain damage, or personality disorders, as significant factors in explaining criminal behavior. The classical school of thought primarily focuses on the individual's rational decision-making process and the consequences associated with their actions.

Answer 2

The classical school of thought considers crime as a result of rational choice and favors punishment as deterrence, which is best represented by option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The classical school of thought in criminology posits that individuals like Joseph make a rational choice to commit crimes and, therefore, should face a punishment that is proportionate and serves as a deterrent for future crimes. This perspective suggests that crime is a result of individual free will and rational calculation. Thus, the most accurate statement would be:

C. Joseph has made a rational choice to commit a crime and he deserves a punishment that deters him from doing so in the future.