Which of the following is NOT a goal of punishment according to classical theory?

The correct answer is that revenge is not a goal of punishment according to classical theory. Classical theory, which emerged in the late 18th century through thinkers like Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham, emphasizes that punishment should serve specific purposes related to social order and deterrence rather than personal retribution.

The goals of punishment in classical theory focus on proportionality, which means that the punishment should fit the crime in severity; swiftness, indicating that punishments should be administered promptly to be effective; and severity, which relates to the intensity of the punishment necessary to deter crime. These goals are rooted in the belief that rational individuals will weigh the costs and benefits of their actions, and an appropriate punishment can deter future offenses.

In contrast, revenge is more aligned with personal or emotional responses to crime and does not fit the rational, systematic approach that classical theory advocates for punishment. Therefore, it stands apart as a concept that lacks the systematic basis present within the classical framework.