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JUSTICE, IGNORANCE & the BIOLOGICAL BASIS of BEHAVIOR

3/24/2022

We use our MORAL and ETHICAL JUDGMENTS to protect ourselves --- BUT those JUDGMENTS look very different across time ----

often based on NEW INFORMATION, or
MORE THOROUGHLY INTEGRATING EXISTING INFORMATION.

Some of this is INTEGRATING the Poetic Understanding of a Seamus Heaney with the BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR --- the "STREAM OF LIFE" we all find ourselves in.

The "INTEGRATIVE COMPLEXITY" of that "STREAM of LIFE" is putting PRESSURE on our current systems.

It has put pressure on systems in the past and it probably will continue to do so in the future --- since comprehension of this "STREAM OF LIFE" is not currently fully within our grasp.

In 2022, we're much more AWARE of :

Neuro-Developmental Differences and Disabilities
Neuro-Psychiatric Disabilities
Substance Issues, and
Brain Injuries as well as Brain Tumors and Lesions

as affecting Human Behavior and for that matter the behavior of other animals.

Something that is poised to change our concept of the Human Being ---- MICROBES that are NOT HUMAN that appear to be ESSENTIAL for NORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR and for the behavior of other animals.

What is JUSTICE in such a "STREAM OF LIFE" --- ?

Seamus Heaney reading
St. Kevin & the Blackbird ---

"in love's deep river"

Cognitive Changes in Patients with Brain Tumors
Memorial Sloan Kettering

Michael Specter is an American journalist who has been a staff writer, focusing on science and technology, and global public health at The New Yorker since September 1998. He has also written for The Washington Post and The New York Times. ---Wikipedia

Law & Reason as a BRIDGE between Science and Faith

3/24/2022

The Problem of a Mitigating Discipline based on a Scientifically Invalid Diagnostic Manual

When we think about the great intellectual problems of the last several hundred years --- the conflict between SCIENCE and RELIGION is right up there and RELIGION has sometimes shot itself in the foot by its REFUSAL to acknowledge the AMAZING DISCOVERIES of EMPIRICAL SCIENCE.

BUT in MODERN TIMES, we have an AMAZING FAITH in Empirical Science as the ANSWER to Every Question.

And in FAIRNESS --- maybe EMPIRICAL SCIENCE is NEEDED for many if not most questions.

BUT we've gotten ourselves into quite a CONUNDRUM because SCIENCE is often LAGGING BEHIND ---and sometimes FAR BEHIND ---- the demands to make MORAL and ETHICAL DECISIONS in the MOMENT.

In fact, EMPIRICAL SCIENCE may be LAGGING DECADES or MORE BEHIND our need to make those DECISIONS and in fact EMPIRICAL SCIENCE may be LAGGING BEHIND one or more GENERATIONS.

So when we look at our use of MENTAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE and LACK THEREOF in the Criminal Justice System --- IT IS A MESS:

We've put all our "FAITH" in Empirical Science ---
- But the DSM 5 is scientifically invalid at least according to pronouncements from the National Institute of Mental Health in 2013.
- Further, over 600 Research Institutions have found that genes are shared across diagnostic categories and the DSM categories do not appear to coincide with EMPIRICAL RESEARCH and SCIENCE.

Well --- the ANSWER is we need MORE EMPIRICAL RESEARCH and SCIENCE --- In fact, that is one of the RIGHT ANSWERS --- the only problem is IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT to address our CURRENT PROBLEMS.

The LAW and Public Policy have been surprisingly SLOW in using "REASON" to make REASONABLE DEDUCTIONS and INFERENCES regarding:

the Biological Basis of Behavior, and
the Biological Effects of "Environment"

As well as the need in some to many cases to get beyond PUNISHMENT for INDIVIDUAL BAD ACT or BAD INTENT and move to a Public Health Approach that can handle BAD ACTS and BAD INTENT stemming from CHRONIC CONDITIONS such as:

Neuro-Developmental Disorders
Psychiatric Disorders
Brain Injury, and or
Substance Issues that are often related to one or more of the above.

Is "REASON" needed as a BRIDGE between our "FAITH" in Empirical Science or our Religious and Spiritual Beliefs?

I would maintain that "REASON" is needed as a BRIDGE to BOTH.

Justice and the Need to Get Beyond Crisis Management --- For the Benefit of the Community, Individuals & First Responders

3/15/2022

One of the points I've tried to make is --- this is a lot more complicated than Neuro-Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders within the Justice-Involved Population --- which are absolutely there.

The COMPLICATED REALITY is those Neuro-Developmental Issues and Psychiatric Issues can also exist among the FIRST RESPONDERS and Health and Legal Systems that are serving and protecting our communities everyday.

So some form of ADHD in that Emergency Room Doc, Paramedic, Police Officer, Criminal Defense Attorney or Prosecutor is more par for the course than we often realize --- and they themselves are quite vulnerable to PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS and SUBSTANCE ISSUES.

Further, some in the Health and Legal Systems MAY BE MORE VULNERABLE because they're NOT EXPECTING to deal with these issues and may not realize that their "STRENGTHS" are often coming with some underlying vulnerabilities.

When we focus so much on CRISIS MANAGEMENT rather than a more ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS ---- that makes it hard for everyone.

We can't ignore the CRISES --- but providing SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT up front in the form of :

Supportive Housing
Intensive Services, and
Adequate Staffing

could go along way to REDUCING CRISES ---- ACROSS THE BOARD.

What is a good career for someone with ADHD?

EMTs, police officers, and firefighters must work well under pressure and make split-second decisions. These jobs allow you to work in a variety of settings, while providing the kind of adrenaline-pumping excitement that helps many individuals with ADHD focus their minds. Feb 2, 2021

16 Good Jobs for People with ADHD - ADDitude

University of Montana

In this study, firefighters had more than four times the prevalence rate of ADHD that has been identified in the general adult population in previous research.

Wildland Firefighters and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity ...

The Big Kahuna: Neuro-Diversity is a Big Source of "Mental Illness"

Transitional/ Translational Justice Monday

JUSTICE, IGNORANCE & the BIOLOGICAL BASIS of BEHAVIOR

Law & Reason as a BRIDGE between Science and Faith

Justice and the Need to Get Beyond Crisis Management --- For the Benefit of the Community, Individuals & First Responders

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