Problems with Natural Law and Social Construct Views of Crime
As we have seen, the concept of crime has been defined as violations
of natural law (based on perceived universal moral values), and also
as a social construct (based on deviance). Both of these views helped
determine which acts would be considered criminal. However, they failed
to provide a precise definition of crime. The natural law view claimed
that there are standards of behavior that are universally shared.
But we know that there are no universally shared standards of behavior
because the moral values that the standards are based on change from
society to society. The problem with the social construct view of
crime is that what is considered anti-social (deviant) behavior changes.
In addition, not all deviant behavior is criminal behavior and not
all criminal behavior is deviant, making it difficult to define crime
using this approach. Therefore, a formal and legal definition of crime
was needed.
In your own
words, explain why a clear definition of crime was needed.
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Instructions:
Read the passage and type your answer in the box.
