Dialog between Beccaria, Lombroso, and Durkheim.
Durkheim: - Good Afternoon Lombroso. How are you?
Lombroso: - Fabulous. I’ve just been reading your theories in The Normal and the Pathological (Durkheim, 1895).
Durkheim: - You disagree?
Lombroso: - Maybe on some points.
Durkheim: - Our other guest has arrived. Beccaria, how are you my learned friend?
Beccaria: - Very well, Durkheim.
Durkheim: - You know Lombroso, don’t you?
Beccaria: - I’ve read your work: the Criminal Man (Lombroso, 1911). You have a fascinating view-point on criminality.
Lombroso: - I supposed I should be pleased, this coming from someone so highly respected as you? Are you planning a follow up from On Crimes and Punishments? (Beccaria, 1761)
Beccaria: - All in good time, my friend.
Durkheim: - Ok Gentlemen, lets not get too carried away. The reason that I called you here today is to discuss the latest Salvation Army robbery.
Beccaria: - Heavens knows what those boys were thinking when they chose to break into that store (Beccaria, 1761:277).
Lombroso: - How can an educated man chalk up their actions to free will? There are biological factors that dictate why these boys commit crimes. We can not expect anything more from atavistic re-offenders? (Lombroso, 1911:xxv) There is no hope for these young men now.
Durkheim: - Atavistic re-offenders, how have you arrived at that conclusion? There is nothing to suggest that these young men had anything to do with the other break-ins. Isn’t prejudging them a dangerous thing to do?
Beccaria: - I’ll say. Why don’t we leave it up to the judge to ascertain guilt and they can face the punishments they ought to rightfully receive for what they have do ...