I answered i don't know because it may be that in the future crimes caused by lack of empathy etc may become treatable due to possible future treatments such as transplanting lab grown mirror neurons into the brains of those lacking them.
At any rate if crime is to be solved it will be through the practical application of science and not the empty utopian promises of religion.
Okay, so you believe man's brain needs rewiring.
So you believe there is a need to change the natural process of evolution? Would that prevent man evolving to a more dangerous criminal?
Why has science failed to do what religion has done to change man's thinking, without interfering with his neurons directly?
Is that not proof that the "empty utopian promises of religion" are only empty to those who, for whatever reason, reject them. Whereas, the promises are a sure reality, since the educational program works - producing the expected results?
Thank you.
Would you like to share why you believe we can be sure of that?
I think trying to stop the chain of events doesn't change anything. What would happen if there were no crimes, death, illnesses, etc? Outside of religion, our bodies are meant to die out anyway. So, as an ultimate goal, no. I don't believe there is a solution to crime. It doesn't mean we can't find solutions, just don't take for granted the solution will lead to everlasting life. False sense of security.
So you believe, that removing crime doesn't do much to change the overall quality of life. It only removes one of many problems. That is quite true.
Yet, isn't it true that man is making efforts to tackle these problems progressively - crime, disease, poverty, and yes, scientist are even working at tackling death... believe it or not.
You are saying you don't think they can. I agree with you.
When you say, "Outside of religion, our bodies are meant to die out anyway", what do you mean?
To be an absolute pendant I would say the solution to crime is to abolish all laws. A crime is the name given to action that transgress a law. No law, no transgression, thus no crime.
Abolish all laws?
So, someone can walk in a grocery store; take what they want, and walk out? Or there would be no law against rape, or abuse?
Wow, a big topic.
The OP is about a crime of violence. It involves a firearm, in the First World a very American factor, so that's one thing the US could address (if it ever found the will).
It makes no attempt to understand the felon. Is he (I'll assume it's a male) poor, in a gang, on drugs, mentally disordered, a sociopath, all of the above? What kind of intervention, if any, might address such problems? A level playing field for education, opportunity, access to health services including mental health, inclusion instead of prejudice and exclusion, adequate welfare support, add up to a different approach that might be worth a try.
And what is a crime? Blasphemy? Anal intercourse between equal consenting adults? Lying with intent to gain financial advantage? or political advantage? Opposing or ignoring environmental laws for the benefit of self and shareholders? Sweet-talking granny to change her will? Double parking? Less-than-frank advertising? Sale of tobacco? Alcohol? Marijuana? Corn syrup? Biscuits with the calculated balance of sugar, fat and salt to encourage overeating? Making false declarations in your tax return? Not looking after your children?
A big topic indeed.
Okay. I take it you are saying you believe crime can be stamped out, and there are solutions.
A level playing field for education, opportunity, access to health services including mental health, inclusion instead of prejudice and exclusion, adequate welfare support, add up to a different approach that might be worth a try.
Here sounds like a good start. Let's start with education. What did you have in mind? Can you give some examples?
@Shadow Wolf perhaps you can elaborate on the education you are considering.
You also seem to think drugs is a key prerequisite to crime. Am I reading you correctly?
People will always seek to push any boundaries they can: man made or natural.
Seems that way, doesn't it. Why do you think this is the case? Do you think that's man's unchangeable nature?
I'm an optimist, I think crime can be handled and will disappear, at least in select portions of society.
But I'm also a realist and don't expect that to happen soon.
@epronovost's observation is a key part, and
@Shadow Wolf's proposals are a good start.
I like to add that a good education directed at understanding the usefulness of laws is also crucial.
I'm glad you elaborated a bit on the education aspect.
So do you think men commit crimes because they are uneducated about the purpose of laws, or they don't understand why they are given?
Well, then he'd best get crackin'.
It doesn't look like he is, does it.
Back in the first century, someone associated with the followers of Christ wrote this... He delivered us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, (Apostle Paul - Colossians 1:13)
If I understand that correctly, it says Jesus has "gotten cracking". Coming forward almost 2000 years, evidence has shown that verse to be true.
The Kingdom of the Son of His Love
I'm not sure there is 'a' solution to crime but there might be solutions that decrease the incidence of such. Since my views are not exactly right-wing, I tend to look for solutions that work rather than those that might make me feel better or give me the illusion of safety from the criminal behaviour of others. And in this respect, according to much evidence, prison doesn't work effectively at reducing crime, even if such is more popular with many (especially the right-wing) and often gives the illusion of doing so. After all, they mostly can't be committing crimes whilst inside, even if the likelihood of committing further crimes might increase after release from prison - and this seems to be the case for so many because prison is often such a disruptive time for so many, and also the means to better learn how to commit other crimes.
If one was to take the logical route to actually
want to diminish the incidence of crime then surely one has to analyse why people commit crimes, and even why we have some things that are crimes in one country and not in another. The latter can be seen by two obvious examples, drug-taking and homosexual behaviour, where both might be legal in one country but illegal and severely punished in another. Likewise, if some are more prone to criminal actions due to some personal issues (including mental health or personality problems) or perhaps from the way that they were brought up, then surely these too should be addressed if one actually did want to solve issues rather than just going the regular route of 'crime ergo punishment'. The main problems with having a more enlightened approach, is firstly, that it is unlikely to be popular (the concept of punishment often being instilled into many from childhood), and secondly, that it might take a great deal of resources and time to make any impact. It also would mean a remarkable change in people's attitudes to crime in general and some in particular. Many just would not want to see resources going to criminals or those most likely to commit such, and would rather it went to any possible victims, even if this could be shown to be somewhat short-sighted. And I suspect that religious beliefs often will have the larger influence on what many are prepared to believe and/or accept, and why I so dislike what many of these beliefs involve with regards such issues.
Without some of this I don't see crime or how we treat such changing much in the future, although perhaps technology might be brought more to bear on the subject - such as more monitoring - even if this might not be what most would like to see, and especially if it spread to the general population - which is very much the case now as it happens.
Of course one could do what many nations seem to do, and which I consider pure ignorance, that of placing more in prison and executing the worst offenders.
Take your pick.
I tend to like your approach, of looking at the root causes.
Suppose we zero in on one you mentioned - mental illness. This is a major one. How would one go about tackling the root cause of mental illness? Does anyone know the cause?
Bearing in mind though, that most people who commit robberies are not necessarily mentally ill.
Crime cannot be solved.
But it can be managed to some extent.
Thanks for sharing. Would you like to share any thoughts on how "it can be managed to some extent"?
Of course crime will never end. There is no such thing as a utopia and never will be.
In your opinion. You
don't think there is... of course.