Crime and History: From Dostoyevsky's Philosophy to Raskolnikov's Praxis (From Images of Crime: Representations of Crime and the Criminal in Science, the Arts and the Media, P 185-198, 2001, Hans-Jorg Albrecht, Afroditi Koukoutsaki, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-192094)

• NCJ Number: 192099
• Author(s): Alexander Chryssis
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Max-Planck-Institute Fur Auslandisches und Internationales Strafrecht
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: Germany (Unified)

Annotation

This article presents interpretive views of crime from the perspective of a philosophy of history.

Abstract

In building Raskolnikov's portrait in "Crime and Punishment," Dostoevsky draws inspiration from the surrounding atmosphere of his time and place. However, he transcends the limits of the specific in order to trace the hidden sides of human nature, beyond space and time, i.e. beyond history. The article claims that the story of Raskolnikov was just a means for Dostoevsky to express his ideas on fundamental anthropological issues and to criticize some philosophical views on crime and history, views of Hegelian and neo-Hegelian and socialist origin, which were particularly wide-spread in 19th century Russia. The article maintains that Raskolnikov is inspired by and strives for the institution of the human personality, as a value in itself, contrary, in fact, to a world where man exists for the fellow man merely as a means. Raskolnikov's killing of the old pawnbroker is an experiment, a trial for the soul. Notes, references