Before the emergence of positivism, which theoretical perspective dominated ideas about crime and punishment?

The theoretical perspective that dominated ideas about crime and punishment before the emergence of positivism is classism. Classism relates to the belief that crime is a result of moral failures and individual choices, which was the prevailing view prior to positivism's scientific and data-driven approach. This perspective emphasizes personal responsibility and the idea that individuals have rational agency in deciding to commit crimes.

Historically, frameworks before positivism viewed crime through the lens of human nature, often attributing criminal behavior to personal failings or ethical considerations rather than external factors or social conditions. Classism aligned with beliefs in free will and the understanding that people act out of rational self-interest, which shaped the punitive measures of the time, focusing on punishment as a necessary response to uphold social order and deter crime.

In contrast, positivism introduced a shift towards understanding crime as a complex phenomenon influenced by various social, psychological, and biological factors—moving beyond the simplistic moral analyses prevalent before its rise. Hence, classism is identified as the dominant framework prior to this change in how crime and punishment were conceptualized.