The late 19th century marked a significant turning point in the realm of criminological thought, challenging the prevailing notions set forth by the classical school represented by figures like Beccaria. This transformative era, catalyzed by Cesare Lombroso’s seminal work, “The Criminal Man,” and furthered by Enrico Ferri and others, laid the groundwork for what would become known as the Italian Positive School of criminology. This movement sought a more concrete and scientific approach to understanding criminal behavior, marking a departure from the philosophical underpinnings of earlier theories. Through the establishment of specialized journals, the Italian Positive School disseminated its revolutionary ideas, advocating for the application of scientific methods to the study of criminal phenomena.
Cesare Lombroso and the Born Criminal
Cesare Lombroso, often regarded as the father of modern criminology, proposed a radical new way of looking at criminality. In his book “The Criminal Man,” Lombroso suggested that criminal behavior could be innate, identifiable through certain physical and psychological traits. This concept of the “born criminal” was a departure from the belief in free will that underpinned classical criminology. Lombroso’s theories, which integrated elements from psychiatry and the natural sciences, provided a biological and anthropological perspective on criminal behavior, identifying specific characteristics such as certain facial features and physical attributes that he believed predisposed individuals to criminality.
Enrico Ferri and Sociological Criminology
Building upon Lombroso’s foundational ideas, Enrico Ferri introduced a multifaceted approach to understanding crime. In his work “Criminal Sociology,” Ferri rejected the notion of free will and instead argued that criminal behavior was the result of a complex interplay of various factors, including social, psychological, and environmental influences. Ferri’s multifactorial theory represented a significant advancement in criminological thought, offering a more nuanced understanding of the roots of criminal behavior.
The Shift from Individual Responsibility to Social Defense
A cornerstone of the Italian Positive School’s philosophy was its reevaluation of the purpose of punishment. Moving away from the classical view of punishment as a means of holding individuals accountable for their actions, the Positive School focused on the protection of society. This approach prioritized the assessment of an individual’s dangerousness over their culpability, advocating for measures that would neutralize the threat posed by criminals rather than seeking retribution.
Raffaele Garofalo and the Definition of Crime
Raffaele Garofalo, another key figure in the development of the Italian Positive School, sought to scientifically define crime beyond legal statutes. In his work “Criminology,” Garofalo introduced the concept of “natural crime,” arguing that certain harmful actions, regardless of their legal status, violated fundamental human sentiments of pity and honesty. This perspective highlighted the social and moral dimensions of criminal behavior, further distancing the Positive School from the legalistic approach of classical criminology.
Legacy and Controversy
The theories of Lombroso, Ferri, and Garofalo have sparked considerable debate and criticism, particularly Lombroso’s emphasis on physical characteristics as indicators of criminal propensity. Despite the scientific discrediting of some aspects of their work, the Italian Positive School’s emphasis on a scientific and multifactorial approach to criminology has had a lasting impact on the field. By shifting the focus from individual moral failings to a broader understanding of the social, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to criminal behavior, the Italian Positive School has paved the way for contemporary criminological theories that seek to address the root causes of crime.
In conclusion, the late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed a revolutionary shift in criminological thought, as the Italian Positive School challenged the foundations of classical criminology. Through the pioneering work of figures like Lombroso, Ferri, and Garofalo, this movement introduced a new, scientific perspective on crime and punishment, emphasizing the importance of understanding the myriad factors that influence criminal behavior. While not without its controversies, the legacy of the Italian Positive School continues to influence the field of criminology, underscoring the value of a multidisciplinary approach to the study of crime.
