Cesare Beccaria

Cesare Beccaria was an 18th-century Italian philosopher and criminologist known for his influential work on the philosophy of law and justice, particularly in "On Crimes and Punishments." He advocated for rational legal systems, arguing against torture and the death penalty. Beccaria emphasized that laws should promote social contract and the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. He believed that punishment should fit the crime and serve as a deterrent, not as revenge. His ideas laid the foundation for modern criminal justice and influenced reforms in penal systems worldwide, promoting more humane and fair treatment of individuals.