Rational Choice Theory Essay

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History Classical Theory, now known as Rational Choice Theory or Choice theory was founded over two hundred years ago in the 18th century by two philosophers, Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. Both used theories to correlate with criminal justice, to interpret reasoning for actions and a concept on the connection between carrying out illegal actions. Cesare Beccaria & Jeremy Bentham Founder Cesare Beccaria was not only a philosopher but a criminologist as well leading all his theories to be based of human behavior with criminology. Beccaria is best known for “On Crimes and Punishments” which influenced penal systems worldwide. Beccaria was very adamant on having laws and punishments, specifically a system for criminal justice to have a civilized society. His theories were that everyone had a rational freewill and all decisions made are carefully thought about before, actions were choices and had motives. The second founder was Jeremy Bentham, a liberal whose theories were generally the same and involved criminal justice for the law, humans and animals. His idea was that the morality of the act equaled the amount of happiness. Bentham was also a found of utilitarianism. Choice Theory is connected to utilitarianism which in a summary is, all actions are motivated by happiness and prevention of pain. Bentham believes people have the absolute freewill to make decisions and always think before making them and think about the choices benefiting their happiness and avoiding pain for them. The concept of consequentialism was also brought up by Bentham. “Choice Theory suggests that juvenile offenders are rational decision makers who choose to engage in antisocial activity because they believe their actions will be beneficial. (59.Sega... ... middle of paper ... ...from bad sometimes they get involved with the bad influences or learn from others but they have the option to decide if they want to go down a delinquent act. Trait theory I agree with a little less when it comes to adults. Yes, I am aware and know that not everyone can make clear sane decisions but it is not often. But with juveniles it is different at young ages they are highly influenced by everything around them such as other students, family, family home and background, genetics, even the things music they listen to and television they watch. It is more of a problem now with the more technology juveniles are exposed to. Choice theory is connected with Utilitarianism, which I strongly agree with because I consider most people to be selfish not in such a negative way but all choices are for the single purpose of his/her benefit, to accomplish pleasure over pain.

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