RB 76

finally An astonishing result is that this study to a large extent is a study of the Enlightenment, even though some aspects, like some cases mentioned, and some ideas, are from earlier times. This result is a part of a larger picture where the outset and evolution of at least three movements, Enlightenment, Neology, and Pietism, contemporary to the developments studied here, in their common emphasise of the individual liberated or distinct from any group could very well be important factors for an increased interest for the motive of the individual. When it comes to modern research it is the Enlightenment that clearly influences it, but when it comes to other developments it is hard to with any certainty see that also other movements and their ideas were not a part of the development. We have seen the view that Pietism was areason for these crimes to be committed. One could also say that movements such as Pietism, methodism, and others, were along with the Enlightenment parts of a story where the questioning of all ruling authorities thereby creating more diverse societies is one part – leading to the authorities then trying to regain control. Although others played their roles, we can find the Enlightenment and its theological sibling Neology to a large extent being behind both debate and legislation, and Enlightenment in particular was the cause of the reasoning and explanations of modern research where ideas emerging or at least gaining importance during the Enlightenment are often repeated and refined. Why came this development at the time of Enlightenment? Some possible suggestions if we look only to the Enlightenment are its relationship to legislation and to knowledge. The legal inheritance coming into the Enlightenment can be said to have been that laws did exist, but the highest courts were often more or less identical with rulers that could at least to some extent themselves add to the legislation. Therefore a certain crime could get its own tailored punishment and possibly legislation. Eventually this was no longer possible. The law had to be given beforehand and was to be implemented. The revolution in France gives us the best example of this, even implying that the perfect law needed no adjustments, such as mercy. When it comes to knowledge questions of a 273

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