The Essence of Crime and Punishment in Classical German Philosophy
Abstract
Abstract. The article examines the ideas of I. Kant, I. G. Fichte, F. V. J. Schelling and G. V. F. Hegel regarding the philosophical understanding of crime and punishment, while distinguishing the spheres of morality and law, which makes it possible to consider the specified categories in the legal space of the state. The author’s appeal to this topic was facilitated by the fact that the philosophical approach is characterized by rationality, reflexivity, integrity and criticality, which contributes to understanding the essence of man, explaining the reasons for his behavior, including criminal. It is emphasized that, being idealists, German philosophers at the same time saw idealism as a threat to the individual and pinned their hopes on the state, which would ensure everyone’s rights, including the right to personal security, and protect a person from the threat coming from another person. This determines the importance and relevance of the problem under study. The purpose of the article: to initiate a scientific discussion on the possibilities of applying the ideas of the classics of German idealism in measures to prevent crimes, deter crime and increase the effectiveness of the educational impact of punishment. Methodological basis: dialectical approach and philosophical categories of cause and effect; phenomenological approach; formal-logical method and system analysis. The author concludes that in classical German philosophy, each of its founders has his own, special role in creating a special conceptual model of crime and punishment. The classics of German philosophy formed a relative (relative) and utilitarian (target) theory, the main essence of which was socially useful results, including the prevention of crimes. In German philosophical idealism, we are approaching an understanding of crime and the criminal that connects it exclusively with the legal sphere and the violation of legal laws established in the sphere of civil society and the rule of law. The purpose of punishment here is no longer in itself, but in the results that should be achieved through punishment. The main statements of this philosophy when understanding the topic of punishment can be formulated as follows: punishment should inevitably follow the crime and at the same time be independent of any considerations, such as the benefit that society could receive from the exploitation of the convicted offender. The practical significance of studying the essence of crime and punishment in classical German philosophy lies in the fact that the methods and methods of influencing people’s behavior proposed by its representatives can be used both to prevent crimes and to prevent criminality and increase the effectiveness of legal education through punishment for a committed offense.
Keywords: freedom; personality; state; law; knowledge; justice; idealism.
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References
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