Yes, this individual had a brain tumor, however, that does not mean that all rapists and violent people have such excuses
..excuses ? that's debateable !
Yes, people that have brain tumors, brain injuries, and mental illness can encounter drastic changes in their behaviour, which may not align with their true selves, and their free will is lost.
..not just brain tumours, but also, forces and factors beyond human control that are responsible for human behaviour !
However, this is not the norm.
..no !
Most rapists do not suddenly go from being the most upright person to a violent person in a flash.
..as I said above, there are number of forces and factors at work that contribute to criminal psychology.
It is extremely important to remember that rape and sexual violence has nothing to do with sexual desire. It is about power and control.
..pls qualify ! with supporting evidence, if possible !
Predators use it as a weapon to inflict pain, humiliation, and to exert themselves as superior.
..again, pls qualify !
Where can such a mentality, especially in terms of men committing violence towards women, come from?
...research in behavioural ecology and experimental psychology together with some of the other social sciences may offer convincing evidence !
It comes from our patriarchal and misogynistic societies where women have constantly been placed in an inferior and subservient position to men, where women are to "serve men" and are "less than" men, and are the "property" of men.
I don't think that is entirely true because we once lived in egalitarian societies. But then again, to some extent, dominant ideologies have known to influence human behaviour. I accept in part what you're saying ..
Pardon my ignorance, but would you be a woman RD1 ? No offence or discrimination intended, my own perception will be better aided to conceptualise.
Where men have to be less accountable for their actions because hey "boys will be boys."THIS IS TO BLAME first and foremost.
..I think the question here would be the whole human psyche. I mean, why give precedence and superiority to "man" in the first place if it were to be condemned later in time ? Evolution wouldn't have advanced such inequality if it deemed unfair, no way !
Thankfully, such ideologies are not promoted in Sikhism
..correct !
And this makes Sikhi so beautiful
.. matter of opinion !
From my understanding Sikhism indicates that our karma can be shaped and altered in our current life time, therefore, we have the power to choose and exert free will
..agree 100% ! Baba Nanak on page 465 SGGSJ is of the same view when he writes,
"sikhi sikhyia gur vichar", meaning, gurus way is shapeless, boundless and liberates the spirit from the shackles of karma !
The vast majority do not have a a brain tumor.
...case in point is the principle ! what is rape, who is the rapist, who is the victim, what forces and factors are at work etc...can we have an objective view ?
At Law, we have to take account of two fundamentals: [1] Actus Reus and [2] Mens Rea to prove the accused guilty.
1. The prosecution have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that it was the accused who carried out the act [actus reus, say rape] and,
2. The accused had the intent [mens rea, say intention, unfettered will and voluntary disposition] to carry out the act.
The case in point with which I intercepted the discussion to hand was to show "circumstances" where some acts, albeit criminal, are in some respects involuntary. If that'd be correct, what must follow, hate or understanding ?
They have a sickening backward violent mentality.
..do they ? consider the following two cases presented before Judge RD1;
1.
Husband who tried to strangle his wife.
In his defence the mitigating circumstances were that the husband served as a soldier in Vietnam during the war. He was conscripted, put through intensive training designed to
condition him to attack on the slightest provocation, and then plunge straight into combat. Before that time the husband's character was impeccable and violence had been completely alien to him.
2.
A woman accused of trying to kill her hubby with a knife:
It emerged during mitigation that the woman at the time of the alleged offence was suffering from unusually severe pre-menstrual tension [monthly periods causing
hormonal imbalance]. And that otherwise, she is generally cute as a cucumber and is known to everyone as a model of calm and restraint.
..sentence or sympathy Judge RD 1, how much of it is their fault ?
Points to consider are highlighted above, meaning, human behaviour is not altogether voluntary and that, forces and factors beyond human control are at work. They need to be understood to dispense a fairer system of justice.
Many thanks
