On crimes and punishments and other writings
By: Cesare Beccaria ; edited by Aaron Thomas ; translated by Aaron Thomas and Jeremy Parzen.
Contributors: Thomas, Aaron A. 1968-; Voltaire, 1694-1778.; Parzen, Jeremy.
Series: The Lorenzo da Ponte Italian library
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Toronto; Buffalo
Language: eng
Number of pages: 190
ISBN-13: 9780802089908
Subjects: Crime -- Philosophy -- Early works to 1800; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Early works to 1800; Punishment -- Early works to 1800; Capital punishment -- Early works to 1800; Criminal law -- Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
Genres: Early works to 1800.
Work titles: Dei delitti e delle pene.
Description: "Published in 1764, On Crimes and Punishments by Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794) was greeted with much attention and debate in Europe and North America. Intellectuals and rulers alike commended the work and looked to it for ideas that might help guide the various reform projects of the day. The equality of every citizen before the law, the right to a fair trial, the abolition of the death penalty, and the elimination of the use of torture in criminal interrogations are but a few of the fundamental concepts articulated by Beccaria." "This volume provides a new English translation of Beccaria's classic treatise as well as responses by a number of his contemporaries. Of particular interest is Voltaire's commentary on Beccaria's text, included in its entirety. The supplementary materials testify not only to the power and significance of Beccaria's ideas, but to their controversial nature. While many supporters proclaimed that the work established principles of enduring importance to any society grappling with matters of political and criminal justice, a number of critics roundly denounced it, fearing that the book's attack on feudal traditions and its call to separate law from religion (and thus crime from sin) would result in political instability and undermine the longstanding privileges and powers of church and state." "Long appreciated as a foundational text in criminology, Beccaria's arguments still resonate with current debates over capital punishment, political torture, and human rights abuses. This splendid new translation brings Beccaria's influential work to a wider audience, while providing important historical and political context."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Translation of Dei delitti e delle pene, published 1764.

Includes: Commentary on the Book on crimes and punishments by a provincial lawyer / François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [180]-184) and index.