Scientific Fictions and the Case of Deterrence Theory: A Mechanistic Approach

• In Event: Mechanistic Criminology: A Critique of Deterrence Theory

Abstract

The division between scientific and nonscientific approaches to the study of crime have long been seen as stunting the development of scientific criminology. In this paper, we contend that a major problem with such assertions is that they fail demarcate between scientific and nonscientific forms of knowledge, and in doing so fail to identify possible relationships between these two forms of knowledge. Critical and constructivists approaches, for example, are frequently seen as hindering scientific progress within criminology because of their nonscientific orientations, while deterrence theory, which also possesses many nonscientific assumptions pertaining to human nature and social action, are exempted from similar criticisms. In this paper, we apply and further develop the concept of scientific fictions (Proctor and Niemeyer, Forthcoming) to translate the nonscientific assumptions contained within deterrence theory into scientific knowledge claims that are amenable to empirical testing. We further identify how the adoption of a mechanistic approach to science can further enhance the scientific properties of deterrence theory to promote scientific systemicity and theory integration within criminology.

Authors

• K. Ryan Proctor, Avila University

• Richard E. Niemeyer, Solomon Boxer