Are "criminals" really criminals?

Question

if we are simply dictated by series of chemical reactions? If our minds are dictated by the chemical reactions going on inside our brains, then is it really anyone's "fault" if they break the law? Isn't doing so just abnormal behavior/psychosis that could be "corrected" through therapy and/or medication?

If we are nothing but chemical reactions, then why punish criminals? To do so is to deny an individual's "wiring". If we are something more, what is it and why are we the only species that has this consciousness?

I suggest we are either chemical reactions, that our consciousness is a product of our brain synapses or there is an ultimate morality that we can CHOOSE to guide ourselves by or ignore. Which do you put creedence into and what do you call it?

I am merely suggesting that there is a sentiment that we are nothing but our chemical makeup. I don't subscribe to the explanation myself.

Answer 1

Ask this again after you or yours has been violated by one of these 'non-criminals'...

Answer 2

It's hard to generalize 'criminal', there is a kid who steels pencils from a shop or a guy who rapes or murders.
It really depends on the motive. If someone commits a crime out of a miserable position he/she is in, or is even forced to, then it is a different than one committing a crime out of greed or an anger problem.
There are people who just can't control their emotions or who can't feel empathy or rape to have the feeling of power, but there are also people who had very tragic experiences themselves.
There are no excuses for a crime, but if the person is a real criminal really depends and we should always try to look for a reason and help them control their bad behavior.

Answer 3

The problem with this is that it ignores that we actually *do* have a choice. Really.

If I order you to touch the tip of your nose with your left index finger, it is *your* decision to do it. You can *choose* to weight the pros and cons, you can impulsively decide to obey or disobey, but how you react is your decision. *The MECHANISM* by which you reach that decision is unimportant. "Chemical reactions" (to use your terminology) *permit* us to think, they do not think *for* us. This is the difference between true intelligence and artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence only *appears* to be intelligence, but is actually wholly dictated by a program. True intelligence is, to a large extent, independent of programming.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 4

chemical reactions can do a lot, but they can not make you kill someone. We are all responsible for what we do in this life.