ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the oldest explanations of criminality leading up to the Enlightenment period and how they shaped the course of criminology. It examines the perspectives of ancient Greek philosophers to those philosophers closer to the Enlightenment as well as clergy and religious figures throughout history who have put the blame of criminal behavior on otherworldly evil. Naturalistic perspectives submit that the natural order of the world is to be revered and cherished. In some ways, naturalism led into the Enlightenment period where science was seen as the basis of all knowledge. On the other hand, the pre-Enlightenment philosophers created a large foundation of ideas from which new theories were developed. The influence of gods, God, or other divinities cannot be proven, but their ideas of morality, self-discipline, rationalism, and justice have made their way into contemporary thinking and criminal justice practice.
