Counterfactual Criminology

Abstract

Counterfactual knowledge is knowledge of reality that is provided by the exploration of alternatives to that reality. Ideal counterfactuals pair a particular set of circumstances with a preferred response to those circumstances. Probable counterfactuals simultaneously represent an alternative to reality and suggest that this alternative may be partially or totally true. The counterfactual value of an exemplary narrative is the extent to which the narrative representation provides knowledge of reality by means of exploring alternatives to that reality. This chapter demonstrates that narrative fictions can be valuable to criminology in this way using two case studies: ITV’s Broadchurch 3 (2017) television series (an ideal counterfactual) and (2) Marlon James’ (2014) novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings (a probable counterfactual).