An Enquiry into the Causes of the Frequent Executions at Tyburn (1725)

An Enquiry into the Causes of the Frequent Executions at Tyburn by Bernard Mandeville is a thought-provoking examination of the social and moral implications of capital punishment in early 18th-century England. Mandeville known for his controversial views on morality and human behavior delves into the reasons behind the high rate of executions at Tyburn questioning the effectiveness of such punitive measures. He argues that the spectacle of public executions serves not only as a deterrent but also as a reflection of societal values and the complexities of human nature. *** In this work Mandeville critiques the legal and moral frameworks that justify capital punishment suggesting that they often fail to address the root causes of crime. He explores the relationship between vice and virtue proposing that societal hypocrisy plays a significant role in the perpetuation of crime and punishment. Through his incisive analysis Mandeville invites readers to reconsider the ethics of punishment and the societal structures that contribute to criminal behavior making this text a significant contribution to discussions on justice and morality.