Crime

Abstract

This is the first of the six substantive chapters which contain the central point of this book. A few words of explanation and advice are in order and could prove to be helpful before starting on this material. On the surface this is a chapter about crime. There are illustrations that range from petty crimes, like short-changing customers from foreign countries, all the way to murder, rape, organised crime, and crime committed by the government itself. Evidence is examined to determine whether crime is typically a rational act, given the circumstances of the criminal, or due to dysfunctional states of mind. We explore problems that arise in attempts to prevent crime. These cover such matters as the behaviour of the police, decision-making by juries, and the content of the law.