Antisocial Personality Disorder

Pangloss62 · 07-07-2006, 01:50 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2155495

The more and more we begin to look into the human brain, the more and more it seems that the notion of "free will" is becoming obsolete. I'm sure some would scoff at the notion that the soldier who is accused of raping and killing in Iraq should be found innocent because of APD, but what if his neurological profile really was an important factor? It's all kind of scary when we think about how we are all just at the mercy of our particular brain chemistry. Personally, I've never believed in free will or a "soul," but for those that do, brain imaging evidence must seem like a threat.

Flint · 07-07-2006, 02:43 PM

Our nervous system is composed of the same raw materials as the rest of the universe, thus it must obey the laws of physics like every other physical object. So, unless one believes that there is some "magical" quality to a human being, then one must accept that we are essentially automatons.

skysidhe · 07-07-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangloss62

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2155495

I've never believed in free will or a "soul," but for those that do, brain imaging evidence must seem like a threat.

You don't believe in free will??

Even people with neurological or brain defects can learn to control SOME THINGS.

That said I think when people kill there is too much labeling as if we will say, "oh, that explains it" Why not just say,
"He went bizirk! after all, WAR IS HELL"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Our nervous system is composed of the same raw materials as the rest of the universe, thus it must obey the laws of physics like every other physical object. So, unless one believes that there is some "magical" quality to a human being, then one must accept that we are essentially automatons.

The ability to reason is not a 'magical quality' . A self -actualized person is just 'aware'.

Do you actually believe we are robots?? Or do things without thinking?? I mean aside from picking up that occassional frito bag.

Clodfobble · 07-07-2006, 04:25 PM

Okay, say we are robots, and a rapist/murderer is completely unaccountable for his actions. The fact remains that he hurts people, and the majority of society can agree that that's a bad thing. If there's nothing we can do to fix his brain chemistry--and so far there isn't--I don't care if it's his fault or not. We'll just change the sign over the prison door to "malfunctioning brain chemistry ward" and be done with it.

Flint · 07-07-2006, 04:29 PM

I'm not arguing the implications, I'm just stating the facts.

skysidhe · 07-07-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I'm not arguing the implications, I'm just stating the facts.

fact- self actualization is not a magical quality it is a biological function not some vauge implication.

Do you believe we are robots? It is a yes or no question. If the answer is yes, Then say something that supports it otherwise it's it's just bs. -sorry it's true. It's bs.

Flint · 07-07-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysidhe

self actualization is not a magical quality it is a biological function

Biological functions are carried out by physical materials which must obey the laws of physics. Draw your own conclusions, I'm not thinking for you.

skysidhe · 07-07-2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Biological functions are carried out by physical materials which must obey the laws of physics. Draw your own conclusions, I'm not thinking for you.

I wouldn't want you to think for me.
You obviously have too much on your plate. Your statements are full of errors.
Your own conclusions are drawn so no sense in trying. Have a nice day.

This is automation.

Tea anyone?

Flint · 07-08-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysidhe

Your statements are full of errors.

Care to elaborate on what those errors are? Please be specific.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysidhe

Your own conclusions are drawn so no sense in trying.

Care to elaborate on what those conclusions are? Please be specific.

wolf · 07-08-2006, 01:05 AM

I learned tonight, because we had 20-20 on the television at work that I am no longer responsible for my comfortably messy house or my need to obsessively purchase books and other cool things. I now have a soft addiction.

Isn't that cool? This is going to go really well with my Binge Eating Disorder (which replaced my just plain overeating) and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (which is my insurance-eligible road rage).

skysidhe · 07-08-2006, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

`snip - soft addiction.

ugg, 'soft addiction' more labeling.

There is just something so sweet in calling things as they are. I am a lazy , greedy , cream puff. There that feels better.

07-08-2006, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

I learned tonight, because we had 20-20 on the television at work that I am no longer responsible for my comfortably messy house or my need to obsessively purchase books and other cool things. I now have a soft addiction.

Isn't that cool? This is going to go really well with my Binge Eating Disorder (which replaced my just plain overeating) and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (which is my insurance-eligible road rage).

I saw that enabling crap too.

wolf · 07-08-2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

I saw that enabling crap too.

My only real regret about that story is that I am not a $500 per session consultant to help you deal with your feelings of guilt related to your soft addiction.

9th Engineer · 07-08-2006, 09:17 AM

A big problem with considering humans to be nothing more than automations is that if we are, then why is it wrong to harm or kill someone? It would essentially be the same as a fox killing a chicken to eat it, we don't object to that. Although people react in predictable ways to external stimuli you cannot discount the basic reality that any person has the power to control that reaction.

Trilby · 07-08-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

you cannot discount the basic reality that any person has the power to control that reaction.

I agree. Sometimes it FEELS like you can't control it, but you can.

There's another theory of human nature that I learned about last night while watching Sci-Fi's THE SEARCH FOR ATLANTIS (I watch too much TV, I realize that now) This theory says that people who are corrupt and greedy and anti-social are just displaying MORE of their ALIEN nature. Alien as in 'alien's came down and mated with humans a long time ago.' I'm a sucker for this kind of shit.

07-07-2006, 01:50 PM	#1
Pangloss62 Lecturer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 768	Antisocial Personality Disorder http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2155495 The more and more we begin to look into the human brain, the more and more it seems that the notion of "free will" is becoming obsolete. I'm sure some would scoff at the notion that the soldier who is accused of raping and killing in Iraq should be found innocent because of APD, but what if his neurological profile really was an important factor? It's all kind of scary when we think about how we are all just at the mercy of our particular brain chemistry. Personally, I've never believed in free will or a "soul," but for those that do, brain imaging evidence must seem like a threat. __________________ Things are never as good, or bad, as they seem.

07-07-2006, 02:43 PM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Our nervous system is composed of the same raw materials as the rest of the universe, thus it must obey the laws of physics like every other physical object. So, unless one believes that there is some "magical" quality to a human being, then one must accept that we are essentially automatons. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-07-2006, 04:29 PM	#5
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I'm not arguing the implications, I'm just stating the facts. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-08-2006, 01:05 AM	#10
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I learned tonight, because we had 20-20 on the television at work that I am no longer responsible for my comfortably messy house or my need to obsessively purchase books and other cool things. I now have a soft addiction. Isn't that cool? This is going to go really well with my Binge Eating Disorder (which replaced my just plain overeating) and Intermittent Explosive Disorder (which is my insurance-eligible road rage). __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

07-08-2006, 09:17 AM	#14
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	A big problem with considering humans to be nothing more than automations is that if we are, then why is it wrong to harm or kill someone? It would essentially be the same as a fox killing a chicken to eat it, we don't object to that. Although people react in predictable ways to external stimuli you cannot discount the basic reality that any person has the power to control that reaction. __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

07-07-2006, 04:25 PM	#4
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Okay, say we are robots, and a rapist/murderer is completely unaccountable for his actions. The fact remains that he hurts people, and the majority of society can agree that that's a bad thing. If there's nothing we can do to fix his brain chemistry--and so far there isn't--I don't care if it's his fault or not. We'll just change the sign over the prison door to "malfunctioning brain chemistry ward" and be done with it.

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