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Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		The Dolhenty Report A Commentary on the Human Condition by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty JUNE 1999   Some Comments on the "Mental Illness" Issue Now, to the "mental health" issue which has come to the forefront in recent weeks. Clinton is proposing legislation regarding this matter -- including, employment protection for the "mentally ill" -- and Tipper Gore is leading the charge (anything to do with her husband's candidacy?). I actually thought the "mentally ill" were already protected since so many of them are working in the White House, the Congress, and the various federal agencies. Of course, I don't believe in so-called "mental illness," which is why the quotation marks are used in the last paragraph. It seems to me that things come down to two points: First, there are some people who suffer from brain disfunctions, most likely caused by chemical imbalances, misuse or overuse of various brain-affecting drugs, or some sort of damage in the brain (tumors, etc.). These are not "mental," but physical. It is the brain, a physical organ, that is affected. If there really is such a thing as a "mental illness," what is it that is "diseased"? If it is the brain, that is a "physical" illness, not a mental one. If it is claimed it is the "mind," then we have a problem. How can a simple, non-material thing such as the mind or the intellect be diseased or ill? I would argue, for instance, that schizophrenia is a physical disease or disorder, not a "mental" one. Secondly, there are some people who exhibit behaviors which we find socially or morally unacceptable. Our attitude toward these behaviors changes from time to time. There are very few human behaviors which have been universally condemned throughout human history. Sometimes people consider certain behaviors to be "crazy," "insane," or "psychopathic." They want to consider the person to be "mentally ill" or "mentally disturbed" or (even worse!) "sick." But this makes no sense. It would mean that a person would be "sick" or "diseased" in one society or culture or historical period but not in another. This would be like saying that a person has cancer or not, or leprosy or not, or whooping cough or not, depending on the society or culture or historical period he or she lives in. An example of this absurdity was when the American Psychological Association "voted" to declare that homosexuality was no longer a "disease" and that homosexuals were, therefore, no longer "sick." Incidentally, in my opinion, homosexuality never should have been considered a disease or sickness in the first place. (I have to ask: Considering the above, why doesn't the American Medical Association simply vote to declare that cancer is no longer a disease? Instant cure!) So, it seems to me, we have two things here: (1) physical diseases (some which may, in fact, cause certain odd behaviors -- think of the diabetic, for example, whose behavior may be affected by his physical disease or illness, or the schizophrenic or the "depressed" individual, whose behavior appears to be the result of some chemical imbalance), and (2) certain behaviors which we deem socially or morally unacceptable and should be treated as crimes or sins, or treated with simple social sanctions (vocal disapproval of the person who picks his nose in public). Criminal behavior is the province of the law; sinful behavior is the province of the church (and, for heaven's sake, let's keep these separate!). I submit we tend to use the term "mental illness" inappropriately to apply to all sorts of behaviors we simply don't like. This seems to me to be a travesty and also dangerous, since we justify incarcerating people on this basis. There is a lot more to say about this issue and I will in upcoming notes. In the meantime, you can read my thoughts about this "game" as I call it in my essay The Psychiatric Game.   Should Those With "Brain Disfunction" Who Commit Crimes Be Excused From Incarceration? On a recent evening, CBS's "48 Hours" dealt with the matter of teen violence and the recent school shootings. One segment was about some ongoing research showing a difference in the brains of violent children and non-violent children. It was suggested that these brain differences may account for some teens carrying out violent acts. The researcher conducting the study has testified in several criminal trials and apparently has convinced juries to be lenient with those criminals who have this brain disfunction. This raises the issue of "responsibility" for one's actions and whether or not not a psychological disfunction, brain impairment, or so-called "mental illness" should be considered an excuse for going easy on the defendant or determining whether to imprison the perpetrator or send him or her off to a psychiatric hospital. I submit that some form of brain impairment certainly may be a "reason" or an "explanation" for committing a criminal act or an "influence" or a "condition" which helps to "cause" a criminal act, but I fail to see it as "excuse" which would somehow make the criminal act -- especially a violent one -- more acceptable or lessen the severity of the sentence granted to the criminal. Regardless of the "causes" or the "influences" surrounding a violent criminal act, the perpetrator cannot be allowed to roam around in the community at will. Frankly, I don't care if the criminal was possessed by "demons" or "voices" or was under the influence of drugs (including alcohol). If convicted, the person needs to be incarcerated and remain incarcerated even for life if the crime is a particularly violent one. I have my doubts about so-called "mental" hospitals because they have been known to set some of these free as "cured," only to have them commit further violent acts. The psychiatrists are about as good at diagnosing "cures" as the average guy on the street. In short, some sort of mental impairment may be a "reason" or an "explanation" for committing a violent act, but it certainly is no "excuse." Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials Main Page & Index
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