Psychiatrists Discover Evil

New York Times ^ | 2/8/2005 | Benedict Carey

[reaganaut1]

"Among themselves, a few forensic scientists have taken to thinking of these people as not merely disturbed but evil. Evil in that their deliberate, habitual savagery defies any psychological explanation or attempt at treatment.

Most psychiatrists assiduously avoid the word evil, contending that its use would precipitate a dangerous slide from clinical to moral judgment that could put people on death row unnecessarily and obscure the understanding of violent criminals."

Wow. Psychiatrists have figured out that some people are evil. Meanwhile, the New York Times editorial page continues its crusade to give felons the right to vote (confident that they will vote Democratic).

[doug from upland]

In the President's townhall meeting in Ontario, CA in Jan. 2002, he used the word "evil" 10 times. I loved it. That was a memorable event for me since I had the opportunity to ask a question from the audience.

[Dr Snide]

typically they are referring to psycopathic personality when they (we) use the word evil. As a forensic psychologist I know I believe in evil (although I did all along) and know several collegues who did not originally but do now.

[midnightson]

"On serving one's time, one's debt to society is supposedly paid. That should reinstate the perks of citizenship, including being able to vote."

In that case, what's your take on sex offender registration?

[Apercu]

They must have gone to "evil" medical school.

[Fishing-guy]

What's the difference between antisocial personality disorder and evil?

[King Prout]

are you metastasizing again?

[185JHP]

Differently ethicized.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Most psychiatrists assiduously avoid the word evil, contending that its use would precipitate a dangerous slide from clinical to moral judgment that could put people on death row unnecessarily and obscure the understanding of violent criminals."

More pyschobabble. If people are intrinsically evil and beyond the scope of treatment then it IS a moral judgment and death row or prison is where they belong, not undergoing endless chitchatting with equally disturbed liberal psychologists.

[bitt]

many years ago, their diagnosis would be "bad seed". truth.

[Jhoffa_]

Evil is the correct word.. Though it's shunned by most.

It's a world view. All encompassing.

If you see one of these people up close, you'll realize that no other term fits correctly.

Anything less is an understatement.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Who is that??

[Mind-numbed Robot]

...and I got "always one mole-rat".

You misread. It was gerbil, not evbil and hole-rat, not mole-rat.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Excellent comment (picture).

[Only1choice____Freedom]

I wonder if the article refers to Borderline Personality Disorder. Talk about evil incarnate. Scary stuff.

They never met my mother-in-law, the Malignant Narcissist.

Evil, gift-wrapped just for you.

[dg62]

I looked up specifically what psychopath meant, and found that it is a person with no conscience. Having spent some time around Borderline, I can say they are not psychopaths (although they rarely show conscience). But, you could have fooled me that they are'nt evil.

[dg62]

Great description. Its good to know there are others who know too.

[dog breath]

Evil is more then the opposite of good, it is the enemy of life. It is that which destroys without leading to new growth or simply destruction without purpose. Death is not evil, nor the destruction of one thing to create another. A old man dying after a full life is not evil, a person giving their life for others is not evil, but the pointless death of a child can be. A child who dies from a accident is sad, but the intentional killing of children is evil. I have read that our values are defined by our culture but evil goes beyond such glib explanations. There is something very basic about evil that we all recognize in any form and in all cultures. I think that all good people recognized evil on 9/11 when it showed it's ugly naked face to the world. Perhaps evil lies in the very fabric of the universe, the active energy of the creator verses the forces of entropy and inertia. For the Lord said let their be a light in the darkness, and it has been a hot running battle ever since.

[semaj]

In that case, what's your take on sex offender registration?

Although this was not addressed to me, allow me the attempt.

Crimes in which no restitution is possible...ie, murder, rape, and other sexual crimes which harm the spirit or psyche, nor is redemption (in this life) possible, the perpetrator needs to be removed from the planet, post haste.

[dg62]

This post describes the results of Borderline Personality on others perfectly, in my experience. If this is the definition is evil, then Borderline fits to a tee.

[blinachka]

Who is that??

That is Vladimir Putin. President of Russia.