After trying to cope with the idea that lawyers may not be around in 100 years (See below, next post down: Frances Gibb article) I went for lunch, picked up The Times and read a piece by Raymond Tallis, Professor of Medicine at The University of Manchester, on ‘the dubious rise of neurolaw’.
The article is fascinating and well worth a read. (Thanks to Mark Bennett in Comments I now have the correct link to the original article)
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If the truth be known, I have, on occasion, ‘felt an alien force in my brain’. It is called ‘over refreshment’ in my case… a bit too much of the juice. But… not partaking today.
Professor Tallis starts his article with the sentence: “His brain just broke.’ These were the words of an American defence lawyer in a recent trial involving violent rape.”
I don’t want to spoil the pleasure of reading this article… but, to encourage you… let me give you a taste: “The brain is usually blamed for actions that attract moral disapprobation or legal sanction. People do not normally deny responsibility for good or neutral actions such as pouring out a cup of tea. This is a pick ‘n’ mix approach to human action and intent, and grounds, I would say, for treating the ‘my brain made me do it’ plea of mitigation with some suspicion.”
Apparently, US academics and lawyers are getting very excited about this, particularly defence lawyers. Vanderbilt University (USA) recently opened a $27 million neuroimaging centre and ‘hopes to enrol students in a programme in the law and neuroscience’.
I am not a neuroscientist. But Professor Tallis does state in his article: “As Stephen Morse, a professor of law, has reminded us, it is people, not brains, who commit crimes and “neuroscience…. can never identify the mysterious point at which people should be excused responsibility for their actions”.
I am not a Criminal lawyer either… but ‘insanity’, diminished responsibility, automatism’ seem to come back into my mind from a distant past as I read these words. Fellow UK blogger Simon Myerson QC, who does know what he is talking about on matters of Criminal law, responded in the Times. I enjoyed reading about this at lunch… refreshing to read something thought provoking in the 45 minute daily break. Mea culpa… I do read some complete nonsense at lunch, it has to be said…. but not today.
Now, my brain tells me it is time to get on with some work. However, my brain has also told me that I may go for a glass of Rioja at 6.00, if I am up to it.
Charon,
Thanks for the links to this. I didn’t see the reference to Stephen Morse in Prof. Tallis’s article online. Does the print version differ from the online?
Mark… Yes.. the print version is truncated… not usually the case – but I had the print version to hand.
Is this the print version?:
Link didn’t work.
Try again.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article2726643.ece
Wasn’t Peter Sutcliffe supposed to have had some sort of brain damage, caused by a blow to the head, that was alleged to have made him violent?
Thanks Mark…. I read the original in the paper and pickede up on the wrong online version link – now corrected.
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