A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Criminology - 9781848601413

This highly portable (5.5x8") supplementary text offers, not an introduction to criminology, but a "slightly philosophical introduction to the study of criminology," with no prior knowledge of philosophy or criminology required. Writing in a lively and conversational style, Lippens (University of Keele, UK) familiarizes students with a set of basic philosophical notions which are essential to the study of crime and its control. In an effort to make the book as accessible as possible, there are a limited number of notes and references. After a brief overview of definitions of criminology, two chapters examine Nietzsche's proto-existentialist thought and Sartre's post-war existentialism to see if there are elements in the human condition and human existence which criminologists interested in the etiology of crime should contemplate. The next two chapters draw on Eastern philosophies, Buddhism in particular, to consider crime control. The book ends with a chapter on the production of criminological knowledge itself. The book is for beginning students in criminology or related fields such as law and socio-legal studies, sociology of deviance, criminal justice, and justice studies. It will also be of interest to more advanced students in criminology. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)