Delusions and responsibility for action : insights from the Breivik case

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6 Citations (Scopus)
296 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

What factors should be taken into account when attributing criminal responsibility to perpetrators of severe crimes? We discuss the Breivik case, and the considerations which led to holding Breivik accountable for his criminal acts. We put some pressure on the view that experiencing certain psychiatric symptoms or receiving a certain psychiatric diagnosis is sufficient to establish criminal insanity. We also argue that the presence of delusional beliefs, often regarded as a key factor in determining responsibility, is neither necessary nor sufficient for criminal insanity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)377-382
Number of pages6
JournalNeuroethics
Volume7
Issue number3
Early online date19 Dec 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

Keywords

  • Delusions
  • Moral responsibility
  • Criminal insanity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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