Who is the Father Of Classical Criminology and Father of Modern Criminology
The correct answer and explanation is:
The Father of Classical Criminology is Cesare Beccaria, an Italian philosopher and criminologist. Beccaria’s influential work, On Crimes and Punishments (1764), laid the foundation for classical criminology. In this work, he argued against the use of torture and the death penalty, advocating for a criminal justice system based on rationality, fairness, and proportionate punishment. He emphasized the idea that laws should be clear and simple so that individuals could understand the consequences of their actions. Beccaria’s ideas also highlighted the importance of due process and the idea that punishment should fit the crime in a predictable and consistent manner. His work contributed significantly to the development of legal reforms and had a lasting impact on criminal law worldwide.
The Father of Modern Criminology is Enrico Ferri, another Italian criminologist. Ferri expanded on Beccaria’s classical approach by incorporating more scientific and sociological methods into the study of crime. Ferri’s major contributions came in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his work Criminal Sociology (1899) emphasized the role of social factors such as poverty, inequality, and environment in contributing to criminal behavior. Unlike Beccaria, Ferri focused more on understanding the underlying causes of crime and advocated for preventative measures based on this understanding. Ferri’s theories brought criminology closer to modern sociological perspectives, viewing crime as a social issue rather than just a legal one. His ideas were pivotal in the development of modern criminology, shaping both the academic study of crime and public policy.
Thus, while Beccaria laid the theoretical groundwork for classical criminology, Ferri’s contributions helped transform criminology into a more interdisciplinary and scientifically driven field, leading to its modern form.