Final answer:
The Enlightenment significantly influenced the study of crime by fostering a new understanding based on rationalism and scientific inquiry, leading to the development of modern criminology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Enlightenment had a profound impact on the study of crime, refuting the notion that it had no effect. Enlightenment thinkers sought to apply reason and science to all aspects of life, including the laws that govern society and the nature of criminal behavior. This intellectual movement led to the development of modern criminology, emphasizing the understanding of crime through empirical evidence and rational thought.
John Locke's concept of natural rights, which included life, liberty, and property, laid the groundwork for the social contract theory and influenced later discussions on the rights of those accused of crimes. Jean-Jacques Rousseau's idea of the general will suggested that laws should reflect the collective wishes of the population, which could include fair treatment of criminals and the aim for rehabilitative justice.
As the study of crime moved away from supernatural explanations and superstitions, the Enlightenment offered a more systematic approach to criminal justice. This approach was founded on the principles of equality before the law and rehabilitation rather than mere punishment, dramatically transforming the legal systems of many societies.