The role Beccaria’s on crimes and punishments on the formation of Bentham’s utilitarian theory of criminal liability

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Abstract

In the article, the author substantiates the continuity of the legal ideas of utilitarianism in relation to criminal punishment, which led to the formation of a holistic doctrine. Beccaria’s “On Crimes and Punishments” (1764) been considered a theorist of criminal law and criminology, who proceeded from the principle of utility. At the same time, traditionally in jurisprudence, including in the field of criminal law, the principle of utility begins to be applied only in connection with the publication of the work of Bentham’s Introduction to the Foundations of the Morality of Legislation in 1789. How did Beccaria’s treatise influence the formation of Bentham’s utilitarian view of the criminal liability? What did Bentham borrow from Beccaria? Was Bentham’s utilitarianism original? As a result, the theoretical foundations for a transparent, consistent and egalitarian justice system were created, in which punishment should be proportionate to the crime, applied promptly and in a way that is understandable to all. As a result, Beccaria’s On Crimes and Punishments had a significant impact, first on the philosophy of Bentham, and then on the reform of criminal law in the Western Europe.

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Igor V. Kolosov

Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Author for correspondence.
Email: i.v.kolosov@yandex.ru

PhD in Law, Head of the Division of Legislation in the Spheres of Financial, Banking and Investment Activities of the Legal Department

Russian Federation, Moscow

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