An Essay On Crime & Punishments

Written by Voltaire

Narrated by Geoffrey Giuliano and The Bell

"An Essay on Crime and Punishments" is a seminal work by Cesare Beccaria, first published in 1764. This Enlightenment-era treatise is pivotal in the field of criminology and penology, advocating for the rationalization and humanitarian reform of criminal justice systems. Beccaria, influenced by the Enlightenment ideals of reason and human dignity, critiques the arbitrary and often brutal nature of contemporary punishments. He argues that the purpose of punishment should not be retribution but the prevention of crime, and thus, punishments should be proportionate to the crimes committed. By proposing that laws should be clear, known, and uniformly applied, Beccaria's work challenges the autocratic practices of his time, emphasizing the need for legal reforms that promote fairness and justice.

Beccaria's essay had a profound impact on the development of modern criminal law, significantly influencing legal and penal reforms across Europe and America. His advocacy for the abolition of torture and capital punishment, and his belief in the rights of individuals, laid the groundwork for more humane and rational approaches to criminal justice. "An Essay on Crime and Punishments" underscores the importance of a legal system that respects the social contract, protects individual rights, and seeks to deter crime through rational and just means. Beccaria's insights continue to resonate, serving as a foundational text in the ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform and human rights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Icon Audio Arts
• Release date: Jun 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9781998487462

Voltaire

Voltaire was the pen name of François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778)a French philosopher and an author who was as prolific as he was influential. In books, pamphlets and plays, he startled, scandalized and inspired his age with savagely sharp satire that unsparingly attacked the most prominent institutions of his day, including royalty and the Roman Catholic Church. His fiery support of freedom of speech and religion, of the separation of church and state, and his intolerance for abuse of power can be seen as ahead of his time, but earned him repeated imprisonments and exile before they won him fame and adulation.