Rational Choice Theory (RCT) explains all forms of crime by viewing offenders as reasoning criminals, with its roots in utilitarian moral philosophy, political and legal theory, and economics. This article presents a brief review of the nature and varieties, pretensions, and problems of the rational choice perspective. It then takes the Rational Choice model to task by seeing its heuristic potential. It evaluates the choice perspective by trying out if it delivers what it promises: to shed light on all forms of criminality, including the impulsive or irrational ones, enabling such forms of criminal behavior to become more plausible. An examination was conducted as to what extent one particular type of crime, i.e. street robbery could be considered as a rational and deliberate choice. It was concluded that a rational choice perspective does not take seriously enough how perpetrators themselves perceive such forms of criminality. To explain criminal behavior, a theory is required that does not treat perpetrators as rational actors, but assumes that they are moral subjects compelled to give meaning to their lives. References