A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil

A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil is a book written by Jane Addams, a prominent American social reformer and activist. The book was first published in 1912 and is considered a classic in the fields of sociology and criminology. The central theme of the book is the relationship between poverty, crime, and social inequality. Addams argues that poverty and social inequality are the root causes of crime and that the criminal justice system is ineffective in addressing these issues. She argues for a new approach to crime prevention that focuses on addressing the underlying social and economic factors that lead to criminal behavior. Addams draws on her own experiences as a social worker and founder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago that provided services to the poor and immigrant communities. She also draws on the work of other social reformers and criminologists to support her arguments. The book is divided into three parts. The first part examines the relationship between poverty and crime and the limitations of the criminal justice system in addressing these issues. The second part explores the role of education and social reform in preventing crime. The final part discusses the need for a new conscience that recognizes the interconnectedness of all people and the importance of social justice. Overall, A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil is a thought-provoking and insightful book that remains relevant today. It offers a powerful critique of the criminal justice system and calls for a more compassionate and holistic approach to crime prevention.1912. From the Preface: The following material, much of which has been published in McClure�������s Magazine, was written, not from the point of view of the expert, but because of my own need for a counter-knowledge to a bewildering mass of information which came to me through the Juvenile Protective Association of Chicago. The reports which its twenty field officers daily brought to its main office adjoining Hull House became to me a revelation of the dangers implicit in city conditions and of the allurements which are designedly placed around many young girls in order to draw them into an evil life. Contents: As inferred from An Analogy; As indicated by Recent Legal Enactments; As indicated by the Amelioration of Economic Conditions; As indicated by the Moral Education and Legal Protection of Children; As indicated by Philanthropic Rescue and Prevention; and As indicated by Increased Social Control.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.