Demonic Perspective

Hammurabi Code

Demonic Perspective

Hammurabi Code

Criminology is ……

The scientific approach to studying criminal behavior (individual vs social group)

Interdisciplinary discipline: political science, psychology, economics, natural sciences, human development, and biology

Demonic  Perspective (Middle Ages, 1200-1600)

The existence of evil behavior in the  world would begin with religious explanations

•Criminology's demonic theory is arguably one of the oldest perspectives on criminal behavior and deviance. •The demonic theory provides religious explanations for criminal behavior. •All major religions have developed explanations about human nature, deviance, evil, and suffering.•Demonic criminology theory has had great historical significance in terms of societal beliefs and criminal justice policies..

The existence of evil behavior in the  world would begin with religious explanations

Criminology's demonic theory is arguably one of the oldest perspectives on criminal behavior and deviance.

The demonic theory provides religious explanations for criminal behavior.

All major religions have developed explanations about human nature, deviance, evil, and suffering.

Demonic criminology theory has had great historical significance in terms of societal beliefs and criminal justice policies..

Demonic  Perspective (Middle Ages, 1200-1600)

Demonic  Perspective (Middle Ages, 1200-1600)

The existence of evil behavior in the  world would begin with religious explanations

•Criminology's demonic theory is arguably one of the oldest perspectives on criminal behavior and deviance. •The demonic theory provides religious explanations for criminal behavior. •All major religions have developed explanations about human nature, deviance, evil, and suffering.•Demonic criminology theory has had great historical significance in terms of societal beliefs and criminal justice policies..

Demonic  Perspective

It is based on two models:  

1.Temptation  Model 

2. Possession Model   

Demonic  Perspective (Middle Ages, 1200-1600)

The existence of evil behavior in the  world would begin with religious explanations

•Criminology's demonic theory is arguably one of the oldest perspectives on criminal behavior and deviance. •The demonic theory provides religious explanations for criminal behavior. •All major religions have developed explanations about human nature, deviance, evil, and suffering.•Demonic criminology theory has had great historical significance in terms of societal beliefs and criminal justice policies..

Temptation Model No matter how tempting the devil's offers might be, the

individual always retains the ability to refuse to sin.

Of course, the "good force" offers rewards as well for obedience to compete with the devil's, and frequently promises spiritual aid to help the beleaguered individual resist the devil's temptations. Therefore, those who give in to the temptations are by nature "weak-willed."

This idea that those who turn to crime (or overeat, over drink, etc.) are constitutionally inferior remains quite popular.

If only the individual had enough willpower or truly wanted to stop they certainly could.

Of course, this model frequently has a deterrent component ; e.g., the threat of hellfire or other eternal punishment for those who chose to do evil..

Public humiliation and banishment, for serious deviants - capital punishment and cutting off hands and feet is a punishment given to people who steal. 

Demonic  Perspective (Middle Ages, 1200-1600)

The existence of evil behavior in the  world would begin with religious explanations

•Criminology's demonic theory is arguably one of the oldest perspectives on criminal behavior and deviance. •The demonic theory provides religious explanations for criminal behavior. •All major religions have developed explanations about human nature, deviance, evil, and suffering.•Demonic criminology theory has had great historical significance in terms of societal beliefs and criminal justice policies..

Possession Model The second major demonological model--possession--

is much more deterministic, and as such may be viewed as the progenitor of later positivistic theories.

Once possessed by an evil spirit the person is no longer responsible for their actions.

The devil now has taken control of the individual's mind and body resulting in evil behavior.

One question that is frequently raised concerning the possession model is whether good or moral persons can be possessed.

Usually the more a group believes in the existence of a literal devil, the greater they found chances to be possessed.

One way of "curing" the individual is through exorcism; a religious ritual aimed at jettisoning the unclean spirit from the body.

Demonic  Perspective (Middle Ages, 1200-1600)

The existence of evil behavior in the  world would begin with religious explanations

•Criminology's demonic theory is arguably one of the oldest perspectives on criminal behavior and deviance. •The demonic theory provides religious explanations for criminal behavior. •All major religions have developed explanations about human nature, deviance, evil, and suffering.•Demonic criminology theory has had great historical significance in terms of societal beliefs and criminal justice policies..

Prior to the eighteenth century, explanations of a wide variety of phenomena tended to be of a religious or spiritual nature.

Demonological explanations of crime began to wane in the 18th century with the beginning of a period of historians call. 

The Enlightenment, which was essentially a major shift in the way people began to view the world and their place. 

Enlightenment thinkers focused on the dignity and worth of the individual. 

A view that would eventually find expression in the law & the treatment of criminal offenders.

Hammurabi

Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon  (that is, of the First Babylonian Dynasty) from 1792 BC to 1750 BC.

He became the first king of the Babylonian Empire.

Hammurabi is known for the set of laws called Hammurabi’s Code, one of the first written codes of law in recorded history.

Owing to his reputation in modern times as an ancient law-giver, Hammurabi's portrait is in many government buildings throughout the world.

The structure of the code is very specific, with each offense receiving a specified punishment.The code has been seen as an early example of a Fundamental law regulating a government — i.e., a primitive form of what is now known as a constitution.

The code is also one of the earliest examples of the idea of presumption of innocence (both the accused and accuser have the opportunity to provide evidence).

The code of laws was arranged in orderly groups, so that everyone who read the laws would know what was required of them.

These laws were inscribed on stone tablets (stele) standing over eight feet tall (2.4 meters), of unknown provenance, found in Persia in 1901.

The punishments tended to be very harsh by modern standards, with many offenses resulting in death, disfigurement, or the use of the "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth" philosophy ("Law of Retaliation").

Few of HAMMURABI’s LAW If someone is careless when watering his fields, and he

floods someone else's by accident, he will pay for the grain he has ruined.

If a man wants to throw his son out of the house, he has to go before a judge and say, "I don't want my son to live in my house anymore." The judge will find out the reasons. If the reasons are not good, the man can't throw his son out.

If the son has done some great evil to his father, his father must forgive him the first time. But if he has done something evil twice, his father can throw him out.

If a thief steals a cow, a sheep, a donkey, a pig, or a goat, he will pay ten times what it is worth. If he doesn't have any money to pay with, he will be put to death.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If a man puts out the eye of another man, put his own eye out. If he knocks out another man's tooth, knock out his own tooth. If he breaks another man's bone, break his own bone.

If a doctor operates a patient and the patient dies, the doctor's hand will be cut off.

If a builder builds a house, and that house collapses and kills the owner's son, the builder's son will be put to death.

If a robber is caught breaking a hole into the house so that he can get in and steal, he will be put to death in front of that hole.

If a son strike his own father, his hands shall be cut off

If someone cuts down a tree on someone else's land, he will pay for it.

Few of HAMMURABI’s LAW