Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Mageth · 07-28-2003, 02:53 PM

I'm posting this in S&S, but depending on the direction the discussion goes (if it goes anywhere), it may end up somewhere else...

Pedophile loses urge after tumor removed

Quote:

The man had an egg-sized brain tumor pressing on the right frontal lobe. When surgeons removed it, the lewd behavior and pedophilia faded away. Exactly why, the surgeons cannot quite explain.
...
"This tells us something about being human, doesn't it?" Yudofsky said. If one's actions are governed by how well the brain is working, "does it mean we have less free will than we think?"

This not only raises some serious questions about "free will", but also serious criminal justice questions.

To me, it further illustrates how our behavior/personality is a function of the physical/chemical operation of the brain, and not some non-physical "spirit" or "soul".

sakrilege · 07-28-2003, 04:35 PM

Phineas Gage

Quote:

Phineas Gage is probably the most famous patient to have survived severe damage to the brain._ He is also the first patient from whom we learned something about the relation between personality and the function of the front parts of the brain.

beth · 07-29-2003, 06:00 AM

Then I wonder if there is something to the phrase, "the criminal mind". Perhaps this will lead to a study on the mental functionings of criminals. It would be a wonderful thing if it is found out that criminalogy could be scientifically treated and cured.

Wounded King · 07-29-2003, 06:29 AM

Have you read "A clockwork orange", Beth?

beth · 07-29-2003, 06:30 AM

No, should I?

Demosthenes · 07-29-2003, 07:37 AM

Suppose we develop the technology which allows one to modify his personality according to his desires. Myself for one would like to be less shy and more assertive.

How does this personality altering technology impact free will? Will it be in the self interest of the government to permit the widespread of such technology?

simian · 07-29-2003, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Demosthenes
Suppose we develop the technology which allows one to modify his personality according to his desires. Myself for one would like to be less shy and more assertive.

How does this personality altering technology impact free will? Will it be in the self interest of the government to permit the widespread of such technology?

There are courses/groups that already claim to do this. While messing with brain chemistry is obviously something of a medical concern, if the end result is the same (change in your personality), why should the medical methods be of more social concern than the courses?

Again, there is a significant issue from the medical safety standpoint, but if it was safe, why would the method used to acchieve the desired end result be judged by a different measure?

Simian

Wounded King · 07-29-2003, 08:34 AM

Perhaps the courses are not thought to work. Therefore why regulate them, they allow people to think they are doing something proactive and taking control of their lives while in fact they are still just toeing the government line. If people were just free to mess with their own brain chemistry it would at least alleviate the drugs problem.

Sidebar: Beth, I think its a pretty good book but not everyone's cup of tea perhaps. It deals with the question of whether having an enforced behavioural/ medical method of regulating criminal propensities, other than the behavioural method of locking up the offenders, is a morally desirable goal, at least I took that to be one of its themes.

Pyrrho · 07-29-2003, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beth
No, should I?

Yes, or you could just watch the film by Stanley Kubrick. Don't let your small children see it.

ps418 · 07-31-2003, 05:04 AM

I discussed this and some other examples on the thread Frontal lobe damage and behavioral self-regulation.

Patrick

07-29-2003, 06:00 AM	#3
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	Re: A strange frontal lobe tumor case Then I wonder if there is something to the phrase, "the criminal mind". Perhaps this will lead to a study on the mental functionings of criminals. It would be a wonderful thing if it is found out that criminalogy could be scientifically treated and cured.

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07-29-2003, 06:29 AM	#4
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	Have you read "A clockwork orange", Beth?

07-29-2003, 06:30 AM	#5
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	No, should I?

07-29-2003, 07:37 AM	#6
Demosthenes Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: a speck of dirt Posts: 2,510	Suppose we develop the technology which allows one to modify his personality according to his desires. Myself for one would like to be less shy and more assertive. How does this personality altering technology impact free will? Will it be in the self interest of the government to permit the widespread of such technology?

07-29-2003, 08:34 AM	#8
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	Perhaps the courses are not thought to work. Therefore why regulate them, they allow people to think they are doing something proactive and taking control of their lives while in fact they are still just toeing the government line. If people were just free to mess with their own brain chemistry it would at least alleviate the drugs problem. Sidebar: Beth, I think its a pretty good book but not everyone's cup of tea perhaps. It deals with the question of whether having an enforced behavioural/ medical method of regulating criminal propensities, other than the behavioural method of locking up the offenders, is a morally desirable goal, at least I took that to be one of its themes.

07-31-2003, 05:04 AM	#10
ps418 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 1,840	I discussed this and some other examples on the thread Frontal lobe damage and behavioral self-regulation. Patrick

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