Editing Crime (section)

== Definition ==
The exact definition of crime is a philosophical issue without an agreed upon answer. Fields such as law, politics, sociology, and psychology define crime in different ways.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|pp=30–37}} Crimes may be variously considered as wrongs against individuals, against the community, or against the state.{{Sfn|Ashworth|Horder|2013|pp=2–3}} The criminality of an action is dependent on its context; acts of violence will be seen as crimes in many circumstances but as permissible or desirable in others.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|p=49}} Crime was historically seen as a manifestation of [[evil]], but this has been superseded by modern criminal theories.{{Sfn|Sumner|2004|p=5}}

=== Legalism ===
{{Main|Legalism (Western philosophy)}}
Legal and political definitions of crime consider actions that are banned by authorities or punishable by law.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|pp=31–35}} Crime is defined by the criminal law of a given jurisdiction, including all actions that are subject to [[criminal procedure]]. There is no limit to what can be considered a crime in a legal system, so there may not be a unifying principle used to determine whether an action should be designated as a crime.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lamond |first=G. |date=2007-01-01 |title=What is a Crime? |url=https://academic.oup.com/ojls/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/ojls/gqm018 |journal=Oxford Journal of Legal Studies |language=en |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=609–632 |doi=10.1093/ojls/gqm018 |issn=0143-6503}}</ref> From a legal perspective, crimes are generally wrong actions that are severe enough to warrant punishment that infringes on the perpetrator's liberties.{{Sfn|Ashworth|Horder|2013|pp=1–2}} 

[[English criminal law]] and the related [[common law]] of [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries can define offences that the courts alone have developed over the years, without any actual legislation: [[common law offence]]s. The courts used the concept of ''[[malum in se]]'' to develop various common law offences.<ref>''Canadian Law Dictionary'', John A. Yogis, Q.C., Barrons: 2003</ref>

=== Sociology ===
As a sociological concept, crime is associated with actions that cause [[harm]] and violate [[social norm]]s.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|pp=35–36}} Under this definition, crime is a type of [[Social constructionism|social construct]],{{Sfn|Sumner|2004|p=3}} and societal attitudes determine what is considered criminal.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|p=29}}{{sfn|Roth|2014|p=10}} 

In legal systems based on [[legal moralism]], the predominant moral beliefs of society determine the legal definition as well as the social definition of crime. This system is less prominent in [[liberal democratic]] societies that prioritize [[individualism]] and [[multiculturalism]] over other moral beliefs.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|p=38}}

[[Paternalism]] defines crime not only as harm to others or to society, but also as harm to the self.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|p=38}}

=== Psychology ===
Psychological definitions consider the state of mind of perpetrators and their relationship with their environment.{{Sfn|Fattah|1997|pp=36–37}}