Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: Jimbee on 29/01/2023 02:28:44
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You know, evil is a pervasive problem in human society. And since at least 1996, if not before, I've tended to look at it more as a disease and problem than anything else. I'm not saying I don't believe in personal responsibility. And no one has ever heard me say that.
But I think everyone in their hearts probably would agree with me anyway. We should for example look at the cause of societal problems, before we simply punish destructive behavior.
And never is it justified to be cruel, under any circumstances, no matter what a person has done. I know the feeling. I used to feel that way myself. But that kind of attitude is always destructive and accomplishes nothing in the end.
Anyways, around twenty years ago too, I came up with another theory (and I might as well post it here too while I'm at it). If we're going to treat evil as a disease anyways, why not treat it as we would any disease. Perhaps with a medicine. When I brought this up 20 years ago, some people claimed there were already such medications. Now, I've never heard of one. I mean, Oxytocin increases human empathy or something close to that, so that could perhaps fall into that category. But I think there is nothing really effective along those lines yet, is there?
And BTW, as I also told people when I stated sharing this theory, human evil is complicated, and I realize that. Some people just choose to be evil. So this hypothetical drug would presuppose the person wanted to be rehabilitated and helped of course. Also people use things like violence to defend themselves. So we don't want to turn people into defenseless sheep either. (Ironically, about twenty years ago, people often pointed out that the cult classic movie "A Clockwork Orange" deals with this last point, though rather inaccurately, I at least think.)
And lastly, at the risk of having to start another thread for this one, I just wanted to add, I often tell people I find attorneys and physicians unique. They always just accept you as a human being in need of help, no matter what you've done. I find that commendable. But you know, that really ties in with what I said above too. Even today, there are some professions that do see human evil objectively. As I said, I think that's the step in the right direction. (I do still believe in responsibility though as I said—we're certainly not at the point where we could safely abandon that.)
Thoughts on what I just said :) ?
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Thoughts on what I just said
I don't see anything resembling a theory. I just see some of your opinions on different things.
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Thoughts on what I just said
I don't see anything resembling a theory. I just see some of your opinions on different things.
Well, my theory is that human antisocial behavior can be treated with a medical agent. Yes, in hindsight I did pad it up with other stuff. But that is just to save time having to start a new thread for all that.
No, no, disregard the rest. The medicine to treat violence is my only theory here.
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No, no, disregard the rest. The medicine to treat violence is my only theory here.
You do not have a theory, you have some idle musings.
Gee, I wonder if a drug could prevent 'evil' ≠ theory.