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Paul FeyerbahFamous criminologist.
Date of Birth: 14.11.1775
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Paul Feuerbach: A Famous Criminologist
- Contributions in Bavaria and the Criminal Code
- Legal Theories and Views
- Role of the State and Crime Prevention
- Personal Involvement: Guardian and Advocate of Kaspar Hauser
Paul Feuerbach: A Famous Criminologist
Paul Feuerbach was a renowned criminologist and legal scholar. He was born to Christina Krause and lawyer Johann Anselm Feuerbach, who were not married. Feuerbach obtained a doctoral degree in law and co-founded the "Library of Criminal Law" with Grolman and Almedingen, a periodic publication on the subject. In 1801, he was appointed as a professor at the University of Jena and later moved to Kiel, where he successively held chairs in natural law, criminal law, state law, and Roman law. It was during this period that he conducted most of his scientific research and scholarly work.
Contributions in Bavaria and the Criminal Code
After two years, Feuerbach relocated to Bavaria, where he obtained a professorship at the University of Landshut. In 1805, he was entrusted with drafting the Bavarian Criminal Code and simultaneously held a high position in the Bavarian Ministry of Justice. After completing the project, which became law in 1813, Feuerbach was appointed as the president of the appellate court. In 1821, he traveled to France to study French legislation in detail.
Legal Theories and Views
Feuerbach was the first criminologist to comprehensively develop the concept of legal imputation in criminal law. His ideas on this topic continue to hold significant influence in the field. Regarding the purposes and objectives of punishment, Feuerbach advocated the theory of psychological coercion, which can also be referred to as the theory of deterrence through the threat of punishment contained in criminal law.
Role of the State and Crime Prevention
Feuerbach believed that the primary goal of state organization was to ensure order based on law. This order is disrupted by criminal acts, and the state has the right and duty to take all necessary measures to prevent crimes. Due to the inadequacy of moral influence alone, the state resorts to coercive measures. These measures include physical coercion, which involves removing conditions that contribute to the commission of offenses, and psychological coercion, which consists of the threat of punishment in the criminal law.
Personal Involvement: Guardian and Advocate of Kaspar Hauser
Feuerbach also played a role as the guardian and advocate of Kaspar Hauser, a mysterious boy who appeared in Nuremberg in 1828. Hauser's identity and origins were the subject of much speculation, and Feuerbach was involved in investigating and protecting his interests.