Human Nature and Crime - Essay Example

Classical and Positivist theories of crime

The classical theory of crime had established during civilization in Western countries, as a result of the harsh punishments and exposure to law offenders. The classical theory explains a positive way of defining crime based on the force that makes an individual commit a crime. The classical theory aims at changing the legal system in Europe. Various elements of the classical theory include the availability of free will among individuals to make choices with respect to criminal solutions to their problems. Moreover, the benefits of crime, which makes it more attractive, the use of fear of punishment to control crime, and the impact of severity of the punishment in deterring criminal behavior are also in consideration (Taylor, 2013).

On the other hand, the positivist theory emphasizes the impact of an individual’s biological makeup on their criminal behaviors. The theory argues that criminal behavior among individuals is because of biological, social as well as psychological influences. The two theories of crime are applicable in reducing the severity of punishment incurred by lawbreakers (Adler, 2013). However, biological composition does not influence criminal behavior in an individual. Moreover, the benefits of crime are the main drivers of criminal behavior in humans. Individuals commit crimes to satisfy their personal needs such as basic needs (Taylor, 2013).

The three perspectives of human nature include the goodness of human nature such that everyone intends to do the right thing in his or her life, the fallibility of human nature in that it is exposed to ethical lapses, and finally the influence of the culture on human nature (Wilson, 2012). Regardless of the goodness of human nature, culture has a great influence on an individual’s character that corresponds to the arguments of classical as well as positivist theories (Adler, 2013).

The scripture emphasizes the importance of implementing harsh punishment on criminals, which is in opposition to the arguments of the classical theory (Exodus 22: 1-31). The scripture disagrees with the positivist theory that criminal behavior is biological in nature. However, the scripture agrees with various human perspectives based on the classical theory, which discourages the adverse punishment of criminals (Matthew 5:38-39).