Describe your own views on crime causation and apply the theories covered in this course to your views on crime causation. Through this assignment, I want you to develop your personal explanation of crime causation and consider why your thoughts on crime causation are the way they are (i.e., why you feel the way you do about the causes of crime). Make sure to address the following in your essay and incorporate material from the course:
Your general thoughts on why people break the law.
One or more criminological theories that relate to your general thoughts on why people break the law. Make sure to connect the specific tenants of the theory to your thoughts about why people engage in crime. This section should be the longest section of your essay.
Exceptions or situations that run contrary to your explanation of crime causation. For example, which types of offenses or offenders do not support your position?
Crime policies or programs discussed in class that align with your perspective.
Is it really possible to reduce crime in the United States?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Essay: Personal Views on Crime Causation and Criminological Theories
Introduction
Understanding the root causes of crime is a complex and multifaceted endeavor that involves delving into various sociological, psychological, and environmental factors. In this essay, I will share my personal thoughts on why people engage in criminal behavior, explore criminological theories that resonate with my views, examine exceptions to my explanation of crime causation, discuss relevant crime policies or programs, and contemplate the feasibility of reducing crime in the United States.
Why People Break the Law
In my opinion, people break the law for a multitude of reasons that stem from individual circumstances, societal influences, and personal choices. Economic disparities, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, peer pressure, mental health issues, and upbringing can all contribute to criminal behavior. Additionally, environmental factors such as neighborhood crime rates and community support systems play a significant role in shaping individuals’ decisions to engage in unlawful activities.
Criminological Theory: Social Learning Theory
One criminological theory that resonates with my views on crime causation is the Social Learning Theory. This theory posits that individuals learn criminal behavior through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. People are more likely to engage in criminal acts if they are exposed to deviant behavior and if they perceive such behavior as rewarding or justified.
In relation to my perspective on crime causation, the Social Learning Theory highlights the impact of social interactions, peer influences, and role models on an individual’s propensity to break the law. It underscores the importance of environmental factors and socialization processes in shaping criminal behavior. Individuals who are surrounded by criminal activity or lack positive social support systems may be more inclined to commit offenses due to learned behaviors and reinforcement mechanisms.
Exceptions to Crime Causation Explanation
While the Social Learning Theory aligns with my general thoughts on why people break the law, there are exceptions or situations that may not fully support this perspective. For instance, individuals who exhibit impulsive or psychopathic traits may engage in criminal behavior regardless of social influences or learned behaviors. Certain offenses such as white-collar crimes committed by individuals in positions of power may not always conform to theories emphasizing social learning or peer influence.
Crime Policies or Programs
Crime policies or programs that align with my perspective on crime causation include community-based interventions, rehabilitation programs, and education initiatives. These approaches focus on addressing underlying social determinants of crime, providing support to at-risk individuals, and promoting positive alternatives to criminal behavior. By investing in community resources, mental health services, and educational opportunities, these programs aim to prevent crime by addressing root causes and supporting individuals in making positive choices.
Feasibility of Reducing Crime in the United States
Reducing crime in the United States is a complex and challenging task that requires a multifaceted approach involving law enforcement, community engagement, social services, and policy reform. While complete eradication of crime may not be achievable, significant reductions in crime rates can be realized through evidence-based interventions, targeted strategies, and collaborative efforts across sectors. By addressing systemic inequalities, promoting social cohesion, and investing in crime prevention programs, it is possible to make meaningful strides towards reducing crime and creating safer communities.
In conclusion, my personal views on crime causation emphasize the interplay of individual, social, and environmental factors in influencing criminal behavior. Criminological theories such as the Social Learning Theory resonate with my perspective by highlighting the impact of social interactions and learned behaviors on crime involvement. By implementing comprehensive crime policies and programs that address root causes and support at-risk populations, we can work towards reducing crime rates and fostering safer communities in the United States.
