Crime is typically defined as an act that causes harm to an individual or to society. Humans have been harming one another since the dawn of our species, and even animals exhibit similar behavior. Chimpanzees, for instance, kill each other at per capita rates comparable to humans.
However, the exact definition of crime has never been universally agreed upon. It is as much a philosophical debate as it is a legal one. What is criminal in one society or era may be perfectly acceptable in another. While violent acts such as murder are almost universally condemned, so-called victimless “crimes” like premarital sex or homosexuality are still criminalized or stigmatized in some parts of the world, despite causing no direct harm to others. The acceptability of these actions varies widely across individuals and cultures.
I personally prefer to define crime as any act that causes harm to another person (which excludes victimless crimes), and that is the definition I’ll be continuing with in the rest of the article.
The Roots of Criminal Behavior
What causes crime in the first place? Research consistently shows that crime is not solely the result of personal moral failure, but is largely driven by social factors: poverty, income inequality, lack of education, childhood trauma, addiction, and peer pressure. In societies that address these root causes, crime rates tend to fall. For example, the United States experienced a 49% drop in violent crime and a 59% drop in non-violent crime between 1993 and 2022 which was a period marked by economic growth and the expansion of social programs.
Punishment: From Retribution to Rehabilitation
Punishment has evolved throughout human history. From public executions and torture to long prison sentences, societies have long relied on retributive justice. But the “eye for an eye” approach is increasingly being questioned. Countries have been moving away from harsh physical punishments for criminal offenders and most countries now only use prison sentences as the standard form of punishment. As of 2024, only 27% of nations still practice the death penalty and very few use torture on prisoners.
Recent studies show that whether someone is sentenced by a harsh or lenient judge, their chances of reoffending remain roughly the same, so some modern justice systems, such as in parts of Norway, have adopted a more rehabilitative model. These systems focus not on harsh punishments but on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior through education, therapy, mental health care, and vocational training. The result is that recidivism rates have been reduced by around 30% for those prisoners. If more societies combine income inequality reduction—arguably one of the greatest drivers of crime—with prisoner rehabilitation, overall crime rates would decline dramatically.
A Moral Question: Divine Punishment and Free Will
This issue of the effectiveness of punishment also opens up deeper philosophical questions. Most religions teach that sins (which are seen as moral crimes), are punishable by divine judgment, whether through karma or hell. But if a god created both the universe and human nature, isn’t he ultimately responsible for all our flaws and actions? So why would he punish us for doing the things that he created us to do? Isn’t that just plain evil?
As Albert Einstein once said: “I see only with deep regret that God punishes so many of His children for their numerous stupidities, for which only He Himself can be held responsible; in my opinion, only His nonexistence could excuse Him.” Indeed, only God’s nonexistence could absolve him of such wickedness.
Toward a More Rational and Humane Justice System
Humans have enforced behavioral restrictions and punishments since prehistoric times. Punishments should continue to exist—both as deterrents and as safeguards against repeat offenders. However, we must take modern research into account and avoid inflicting unnecessary harm through excessive or counterproductive punishments. Not all criminals can be rehabilitated, but many can. Emphasizing rehabilitation over retribution isn’t just more humane—it’s also more effective.
By Jamila U.O.
