This article describes scientists attempt to identify an evil gene and gives examples of murderers whose fathers were murderers and the creepy similarities of their crimes despite the lack of the fathers presence in the child’s life.
So I ask T-Nation, if we do indeed discover an “evil” gene should we monitor these people or imprison them, or attempt to alter their genetic makeup and “turn off” the evil gene. Or do we allow them the same freedoms as everyone else and deal with the consequences of their genetic predispositions?? And if we do grant them freedom of living normally, when some of them do commit evil crimes can they use their genetic makeup as a defense??
I think if such a gene were discovered, people wouldn’t care much. People don’t like to hear that things have “reasons” or “causes.” It scares them, making them feel like free will doesn’t exist, so they will either deny the gene’s existence or just not allow themselves to think about so they can continue thinking about life the same way they already do.
Whether or not an evil gene is found, it seems clear that evil is, nevertheless, a purely physical mechanism. I base that on an underlying assumption I hold, which is that the physical universe is all that exists. Therefore, anything that exists is a purely physical phenomenon. Evil is an emergent property of very complex physical interactions. They only become bad by the subjective experience of other living beings, which of course is also the result of complex physical interactions. So when evil things happen in this world, does it not make sense that we should see it as a tragedy in our world that such things can end up happening, and try to find solutions in which these evil acts are eliminated from our physical world? This is better than simply feeling the need to angrily punish those who are committing the evil acts.
[quote]HardcoreHorn wrote:
I think if such a gene were discovered, people wouldn’t care much. People don’t like to hear that things have “reasons” or “causes.” It scares them, making them feel like free will doesn’t exist, so they will either deny the gene’s existence or just not allow themselves to think about so they can continue thinking about life the same way they already do.
Whether or not an evil gene is found, it seems clear that evil is, nevertheless, a purely physical mechanism. I base that on an underlying assumption I hold, which is that the physical universe is all that exists. Therefore, anything that exists is a purely physical phenomenon. Evil is an emergent property of very complex physical interactions. They only become bad by the subjective experience of other living beings, which of course is also the result of complex physical interactions. So when evil things happen in this world, does it not make sense that we should see it as a tragedy in our world that such things can end up happening, and try to find solutions in which these evil acts are eliminated from our physical world? This is better than simply feeling the need to angrily punish those who are committing the evil acts.[/quote]
Evil is beautiful. If it were not for so called evil we would not exist in this developed state today. Who knows what we would be missing out on if some of history’s atrocities never happened? And, what amazing things will future “evil” lead to?
[quote]HardcoreHorn wrote:
I think if such a gene were discovered, people wouldn’t care much. People don’t like to hear that things have “reasons” or “causes.” It scares them, making them feel like free will doesn’t exist, so they will either deny the gene’s existence or just not allow themselves to think about so they can continue thinking about life the same way they already do.
Whether or not an evil gene is found, it seems clear that evil is, nevertheless, a purely physical mechanism. I base that on an underlying assumption I hold, which is that the physical universe is all that exists. Therefore, anything that exists is a purely physical phenomenon. Evil is an emergent property of very complex physical interactions. They only become bad by the subjective experience of other living beings, which of course is also the result of complex physical interactions. So when evil things happen in this world, does it not make sense that we should see it as a tragedy in our world that such things can end up happening, and try to find solutions in which these evil acts are eliminated from our physical world? This is better than simply feeling the need to angrily punish those who are committing the evil acts.[/quote]
This article describes scientists attempt to identify an evil gene and gives examples of murderers whose fathers were murderers and the creepy similarities of their crimes despite the lack of the fathers presence in the child’s life.
So I ask T-Nation, if we do indeed discover an “evil” gene should we monitor these people or imprison them, or attempt to alter their genetic makeup and “turn off” the evil gene. Or do we allow them the same freedoms as everyone else and deal with the consequences of their genetic predispositions?? And if we do grant them freedom of living normally, when some of them do commit evil crimes can they use their genetic makeup as a defense?? [/quote]
I’ve been researching my ancestry, and found that my mother’s line is linked to the McCoys of the Hatfiled/McCoys feuds. Something that was interesting about that is that medical researchers have found that the McCoys have an autosomal dominant genetic condition, called Von Hippel-Lindau disease. The genetic alteration causes cysts on the adrenal glands that manifest in surges of adrenaline, which has been speculated as the cause of the McCoy tendencies towards violence.
I’m sure I’d get laughed out of a courtroom if I tried a “genetically predisposed to violence” defense
[quote]HardcoreHorn wrote:
I think if such a gene were discovered, people wouldn’t care much. People don’t like to hear that things have “reasons” or “causes.” It scares them, making them feel like free will doesn’t exist, so they will either deny the gene’s existence or just not allow themselves to think about so they can continue thinking about life the same way they already do.
Whether or not an evil gene is found, it seems clear that evil is, nevertheless, a purely physical mechanism. I base that on an underlying assumption I hold, which is that the physical universe is all that exists. Therefore, anything that exists is a purely physical phenomenon. Evil is an emergent property of very complex physical interactions. They only become bad by the subjective experience of other living beings, which of course is also the result of complex physical interactions. So when evil things happen in this world, does it not make sense that we should see it as a tragedy in our world that such things can end up happening, and try to find solutions in which these evil acts are eliminated from our physical world? This is better than simply feeling the need to angrily punish those who are committing the evil acts.[/quote]
[quote]HardcoreHorn wrote:
I think if such a gene were discovered, people wouldn’t care much. People don’t like to hear that things have “reasons” or “causes.” It scares them, making them feel like free will doesn’t exist, so they will either deny the gene’s existence or just not allow themselves to think about so they can continue thinking about life the same way they already do.
Whether or not an evil gene is found, it seems clear that evil is, nevertheless, a purely physical mechanism. I base that on an underlying assumption I hold, which is that the physical universe is all that exists. Therefore, anything that exists is a purely physical phenomenon. Evil is an emergent property of very complex physical interactions. They only become bad by the subjective experience of other living beings, which of course is also the result of complex physical interactions. So when evil things happen in this world, does it not make sense that we should see it as a tragedy in our world that such things can end up happening, and try to find solutions in which these evil acts are eliminated from our physical world? This is better than simply feeling the need to angrily punish those who are committing the evil acts.[/quote]
Wow. Nicely said.[/quote]
x 2[/quote]
x3.[/quote]
Dude, your level of posts are way too high for this forum. I’ve read 3 threads with yours posts, so far I have yet to encounter a LOL or PIITB.
This article describes scientists attempt to identify an evil gene and gives examples of murderers whose fathers were murderers and the creepy similarities of their crimes despite the lack of the fathers presence in the child’s life.
So I ask T-Nation, if we do indeed discover an “evil” gene should we monitor these people or imprison them, or attempt to alter their genetic makeup and “turn off” the evil gene. Or do we allow them the same freedoms as everyone else and deal with the consequences of their genetic predispositions?? And if we do grant them freedom of living normally, when some of them do commit evil crimes can they use their genetic makeup as a defense?? [/quote]
An evil gene? Thats silly.
No man tries to do evil…to the bad thing. We all think we are doing the right thing (the good), we just choose rotten ways of attaining it sometimes.
I do think, however, that they are on to something.
Low prefrontal cortex activity ( impulsiveness, unable to learn from mistakes, unable to monitor one’s self) has been linked to murders, stealing, cheating on wifes/gfs, etc. And yes, it is way to easily to pass down to your children (ADD)
Your conditioning depends on if you become a murderer or not, though.
Genetics load the gun. The environment pulls the trigger.
[quote]Ct. Rockula wrote:
Evil is beautiful. If it were not for so called evil we would not exist in this developed state today. Who knows what we would be missing out on if some of history’s atrocities never happened? And, what amazing things will future “evil” lead to?
no rest for the wicked.[/quote]
True, imagine where the united states would be if it hadnt been for WW2
[quote]Sick Rick wrote:
Dude, your level of posts are way too high for this forum. I’ve read 3 threads with yours posts, so far I have yet to encounter a LOL or PIITB.
I was going to come in here and say that they’ve been looking for this gene for years by comparing the genetic code of multiply different murderers, rapists, etc. But then I noticed the article is from July 2003.
[quote]HardcoreHorn wrote:
I think if such a gene were discovered, people wouldn’t care much. People don’t like to hear that things have “reasons” or “causes.” It scares them, making them feel like free will doesn’t exist, so they will either deny the gene’s existence or just not allow themselves to think about so they can continue thinking about life the same way they already do.
Whether or not an evil gene is found, it seems clear that evil is, nevertheless, a purely physical mechanism. I base that on an underlying assumption I hold, which is that the physical universe is all that exists. Therefore, anything that exists is a purely physical phenomenon. Evil is an emergent property of very complex physical interactions. They only become bad by the subjective experience of other living beings, which of course is also the result of complex physical interactions. So when evil things happen in this world, does it not make sense that we should see it as a tragedy in our world that such things can end up happening, and try to find solutions in which these evil acts are eliminated from our physical world? This is better than simply feeling the need to angrily punish those who are committing the evil acts.[/quote]
Hmm… So in your opinion evil is all subjective to our culture, established ethics, and sociologically agreed upon concepts of right and wrong, but evil truly does not exist? I would have to disagree because like you i have my own underlying assumptions that this world is not solely physical. But that is a different debate for a much LONGER thread. haha
