tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425732352511468694.post1648241436297275879..comments2023-08-20T04:55:39.436-07:00Comments on Ars Psychiatrica: Evil Not Otherwise SpecifiedNovalishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10501890494890617030noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425732352511468694.post-82373581620502752842008-11-09T23:56:00.000-08:002008-11-09T23:56:00.000-08:00It's impossible to untangle the complicated conste...It's impossible to untangle the complicated constellation of psychopathic neurobiological determinants and the extent to which they are externally induced/modified/potentiated/negated etc.<BR/><BR/>On a macro scale, the brain architecture and physiology of psychopathic brains may be similar; but it could be the microscopic permutations and combinations of biological influences and their dynamic interplay with environment that govern the degree to which the pathology is contained or exuberantly embraced in all its bloody glory.<BR/><BR/>Thus, regardless of the minutiae that produces an individual's unique psychopathy profile, it's all determined by this genetic and random external dynamism; and whether a psychopath is able to exert 'self-will' on his/her tendency is dependent on the degree to which the impulse control parameter is expressed in relation to all the other ingredients in the formula--which is beyond the psychopath's control.<BR/><BR/>So where does this leave moral culpability?-- as an illusion that society will fiercely defend and uphold as the hallmark of its civil evolution until that pale horse comes galloping.<BR/><BR/>Moral responsibility is a societal construct; it is the tenuous glue that binds order out of the loose ends of chaos.<BR/><BR/>If all is random then we have no control; and if all is pre-determined, we're still stuffed!<BR/><BR/>What to do? Use brain scans to mitigate psychopaths' culpability so we all win...not.<BR/><BR/>Crime must be punished whoever/whatever the hell is responsible so 'justice' is served.<BR/>It keeps our consciences pretty and well manicured like fake front yards coloured and cut into aesthetically pleasing shapes by celebrity gardeners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425732352511468694.post-72305059198972301142008-11-09T17:56:00.000-08:002008-11-09T17:56:00.000-08:00I think that biology and free will must coexist, b...I think that biology and free will must coexist, but only for pragmatic reasons--even someone consciously committed to a deterministic point of view would still have to make a lot of "choices" simply due to ignorance of what the "determined" outcome might be.<BR/><BR/>The cultural question is an interesting one, and brings to mind other extreme, if morbid, behaviors that can become normative in isolated sub-cultures. For instance, is suicide terrorism primarily a political or a clinical phenomenon? Can entire groups or sub-cultures be pathological? The news tonight mentioned the 30th anniversary of the Jonestown mass suicide.Novalishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10501890494890617030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425732352511468694.post-77158895406492453282008-11-09T09:59:00.000-08:002008-11-09T09:59:00.000-08:00Two things come to my mind --1. I once worked for ...Two things come to my mind --<BR/><BR/>1. I once worked for a short time with a man who came to therapy because he was depressed -- depressed because he was lonely. And then he told me he was obsessed by a woman he couldn't have and whom he stalked and in a by the way comment on the way out one day said he had been charged with murder in another state. He seemed not all disturbed by the impact of his stalking on the woman he was then obsessed with nor did he seem to have any concern about the murder charge which was still open. He was pleasant, well-educated, and his demeanor did suggest depression. All against a background of violence and remarkable lack of concern for others.<BR/><BR/>2. I think of Tony Soprano. And I wonder about cultural context. If a person is a member of a sub-culture or culture in which violence, even murder, is common and seen as inevitable, then is an individual who is successful in that culture sociopathic or is he normal in his culture? And how do we deal with these kinds of differences in culture? Gangs would be another instance in which repugnant behavior can be normal in that context yet pathological outside of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425732352511468694.post-596203633705021962008-11-09T08:33:00.000-08:002008-11-09T08:33:00.000-08:00Does having a biological predisposition to somethi...Does having a biological predisposition to something necessarily negate free will?<BR/><BR/>You reported feeling comfortable talking with the patient who wanted to impress you with his capacity for violence, because his demeanor was affable. Do you think he chose to present that way, or did you just get lucky that he wasn't short-circuiting during the appointment?<BR/><BR/>I am not a psychiatrist, but was raised by a father who would, by most accounts, be considered antisocial (if not actually psychopathic), yet who managed to function well in certain environments. He had a successful business career but also had a capacity for cruelty and violence. It was apparent to me that he chose when to express those traits, which means outside the public eye. He also chose how far to carry his violence, in that he was able to stop before anyone was seriously injured or killed.<BR/><BR/>The fact that he had that much control over his behavior suggests that he exercised free will, that he knew certain behaviors would be considered immoral and/or illegal, and that he understood the consequences of engaging in those behaviors should he get caught. He may have been sadistic, and may have lacked empathy, but you would be hard-pressed to convince me that he didn't act with deliberate intent.<BR/><BR/>I imagine there exists a continuum of organic dysfunctionality that helps determine how much impulsivity vs. control a person exercises, as well as what degree of psychopathy is present.<BR/><BR/>Like the nature vs nurture argument, I think its possible both evil and illness play a role in a serial killer's behavior, not merely one or the other.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com