Work

The inclination to evil and the punishment of crime - from the bible to behavioral genetics.

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: The evolving field of behavioral genetics is gradually elucidating the complex interplay between genes and environment. Scientific data pertaining to the behavioral genetics of violent behavior provides a new context for an old dilemma regarding criminal responsibility and punishment: if the inclination to violent behavior is inherent in someone's nature, how should it affect punishment for crime? Should it be considered as a mitigating or an aggravating factor? Given psychiatrists' increasing involvement in providing testimony on behavioral genetics in the criminal justice system, this paper first provides the necessary background required for understanding how this question arises and reviews the relevant literature. Then, we address this question from the perspective of the Bible and its commentators, in the belief that their insights may enrich the contemporary discussion of this question.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Azgad Gold, Paul S Appelbaum

Institutions: Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute

Language: English

Topic: Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Human Genome Research Institute

Awards: Center for ELSI Research on Psychiatric Neurologic and Behavioral Genetics, Center for Research on the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Psychiatric, Center for Research on Ethical, Legal & Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic & Behavioral Genetics