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The Beginning of Re-Conceptualization by Europeans
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, European philosophers embraced the concept of human reason as a tool for re-conceptualizing society. Philosophers showed interest in building a safe society. Through the punishment of crimes, the philosophers believed that a safe society would be built. In addition, re-conceptualization, in the beginning, involved the creation of centralized and rational systems to ensure there is equal justice for all. Philosophers believed that for humanity to advance, the reason is the only key in accordance with the basis of justice, liberty, and the truth. Thus such ideas were not just to be confined in printed papers but to be used as powerful and effective tools for offering solutions and exposing evils in society. Therefore, the Europeans embraced the concept of reason to re-conceptualize society and called for reforms that, in return, created a centralized and rational society instead of an arbitrary one.
Civil Society and Government, Culture and Science
Beccaria, in his book, he urges that ” practices of criminal justice,” practiced by the civil society and the government before re-conceptualization, were not only cruel, ineffective as well as cruel but they never served for the common good of humanity. The culture of criminal justice applied was torture to get a confession, capital punishment application, and discrimination of people through judges’ power. This implies the arbitrary society only served the law for the common good of few and not for the common good of the public. Thus, the re-conceptualization of culture, civil society, science, and the government involved the discovery of the truth between subjects and sovereign (Beccaria 103). The ideas for commerce disseminated truth through the press and waged silent trade war among nations, of which was considered as a sort of human and reasonable worth of men, as Beccaria asserts in his book.
New Ideas
Re-conceptualization of society required the application or the use of new ideas to serve for the benefit of all. Moreover, the development of a centralized and rationalized system was the idea that many philosophers embraced the creation of a society that valued equal justice. For instance, Beccaria suggests that for equal justice to prevail among all, the criminal justice system has to be completely changed. In addition, John Locke asserted that arbitrary society could be transformed through the idea of human nature (Beccaria 105). He clearly agreed to the idea that the only way or manner through which men can divest natural liberty is through establishing civil society bonds for security to prevail in the community.
How They Were Innovative Compared To What Had Come Before?
The philosopher innovativeness is more visible in the manner through which they criticized arbitrary society. Their interest in economics and law was more concerned with the creation of a centralized and rational system. That is a system that puts the interest of all as the first priority (Jean-Jacques 99). Moreover, as smith urges, “markets should be left to their own devices,” meaning that trade should be free from government regulations that prevailed at that time.
What Did They The Role Of Reason Should Be?
Philosophers thought that reason is the only key that can effectively lead to re-conceptualize the community. The role of reason was thought of as a tool that can be effectively used to make appropriate reforms (Smith 107). In addition, the role of reason was perceived as a form of enlightenment to the people.
Conclusion
Through the re-conceptualization of society during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, new reforms were established. Criminal system reformed from the arbitrary practices to practices that ensured the common good for all. Interest in economics and law also led to the creation of a society where men are free, safe, and comfortable. The application of new ideas through reasoning also re-conceptualized society into a society that preserves security.
Works Cited
Beccaria, Cesare. “Reform the law, on crimes and punishment.” On Crimes and Punishments, 1764, pp. 103-106.
Jean-Jacques, Rousseau. “Rethinking Modern Civilization, Discourse on the Origin and Foundation of Inequality among Men.” Die Republik der Tugend, 1753, pp. 95-101.
Smith, Adam. “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.” The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith, Vol. 2: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. 1, 1776, pp. 107-109.