Cesare Beccaria

Enlightenment philosopher who transformed criminal justice systems worldwide

Cesare Beccaria (1738–1794), an Italian philosopher, authored 《On Crimes and Punishments》 (1764), which condemned torture and capital punishment while advocating proportional sentencing. His ideas laid foundations for modern criminology and influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Beccaria argued that punishment should deter crime rather than seek revenge, emphasizing the need for swift, transparent legal processes. His work inspired reforms across Europe and the Americas, including the abolition of the death penalty in Tuscany in 1786. Today, his principles underpin international human rights law, making him a pivotal figure in Enlightenment-era social reform.