Social Studies

Cesare Beccaria

The Enlightenment was a period during the 18th century that brought
along new ideologies and philosophies that have greatly contributed to
governments all around the world and the American bill of rights. The
Enlightenment was known for the philosophies brought forth by different
thinkers such as Voltaire, Locke, Descartes, Montesquieu and
Wollstencraft. The most important of these thinkers was an Italian
gentleman by the name Cesare Beccaria. One of the most important
contributions Beccaria made was the abolishment of torture under the law
and the introduction of fairness among the criminal court. This philosophy
was later accepted by the government and integrated into the constitution
and the American bill of rights. He is the most influential thinkers of the
enlightenment as his philosophies are parts of the pillars of our society.

Cesare Beccaria was born on March 15th, 1738 in Milan, and died on
November 28th,1794 in Milan. Beccaria was married to Anna Barbo when
she was only 16 years of age and had three children. He was an Italian
Criminologist and philosopher who studied in the University of Pavia and
received a degree in law. During the enlightenment he joined an intellectual
society with his friend Pietro Verri who ate encouraged Beccaria to study
criminal law. Beccaria began his studies in criminal laws and became well
known for a book he wrote called “Dei delitti e delle pene” (Crimes and
Punishments). He started to formulate well structured ideologies against
the use of torture and the corruption of the penal system.
Beccaria's most influential contribution was the abolition of capital
punishment and criminal-law reforms all around Europe. This was later
implemented in the English parliament and American legislation. His work
on criminal-law reforms contribute significantly to our modern day society
and ethics and morals. Beccaria is the reason for equality amongst all,
especially those imprisoned, in our modern day society unfair treatment of
prisoners or detainees causes outrage. People feel a moral responsibility to
those imprisoned both rightfully and falsely as they are still considered
citizens and should be treated under the same conditions and rights as
those outside of prison.

Cesare Beccaria's passion for the rights of all citizens under the law, the
just treatment of all prisoners, condemning the torture of criminals and the
abolishment of capital punishment, was all later accepted by governments
all around the world with the help of reformers. Later, it was implemented in
the American bill of rights, parliament and many other constitutions of
different governments all around the world. His fight for justice impacted
our ethics significantly and i a pillar of our society making Beccaria the
greatest thinker of the Enlightenment .