- Sep 22, 2013
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The great sociologist-philosopher Emile Durkheim suggested that one unique feature of the human mind is its contemplation of perfect self-destruction (or suicide).
Many films and comic books depicting villainy present anti-social characters who seem obsessively focused on the social perspectives on self-destruction (philosophical, political, and psychological). The comic book villain Two-Face (DC Comics), for example, is a nemesis of the valiant masked urban vigilante Batman and is a disfigured extremist-vigilante who partially blames an apathetic society for his disfigurement and administers punishments with cruelty.
In assessing the human mind's tendencies towards self-destruction and cruelty towards others, we can examine the boundaries between 'redeemable psychosis' (or criminal insanity) and 'unforgivable self-indulgence' (or evil).
A person who kills for legitimate retribution may be considered an 'avenger,' while a person who kills for sport or mischief may be considered a 'maniac.'
Americans love horror films, and the two iconic American horror film franchises, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween, present two eerily masked super-psychos named Leatherface (a chainsaw-wielding cannibal) and Michael Myers (a serial killer who stalks people on Halloween Eve).
Leatherface and Michael Myers are both clearly insane, but their relentless obsession with murder and gore make them unforgivably evil.
If we try to 'psychologically evaluate' these fictional ghouls, we may make observations that they are manic about 'appearing monstrous' or 'creating bloodshed.' They seem intent on 'disfiguring' the face of humanity by preying on very sensitive sensibilities. Leatherface's chainsaw is meant to cause havoc and devastate the flesh, while Michael Myer's preoccupation with Halloween Eve makes him a 'prophet of fear.'
When we read books/stories about 'civilization bureaucrats' made symbolic by their tedious diligence (e.g., Herman Melville's Bartleby the Scrivener), we get the impression that anarchistic tirades against society norms (as exemplified in the characterization of Leatherface and Michael Myers) affords the anti-social criminal a 'window' into 'spiritual deformity.'
This focus on 'spiritual deformity' and its living relationship to 'appearance disfigurement' may be the best criterion for separating psychosis from evil, since it reveals a specific 'intention to seem ugly' (or abnormal).
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BATMAN: Why do you want to scare people?
LEATHERFACE: Scarecrow is my brother!
BATMAN: Do you believe your chainsaw is a 'tool'?
LEATHERFACE: It is my sword!
BATMAN: Don't you want to be normal?
LEATHERFACE: Evil!
BATMAN: Do you think you were 'born ugly'?
LEATHERFACE: Born to kill!
BATMAN: You need time to contemplate peace.
LEATHERFACE: Violence is my escape!
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Many films and comic books depicting villainy present anti-social characters who seem obsessively focused on the social perspectives on self-destruction (philosophical, political, and psychological). The comic book villain Two-Face (DC Comics), for example, is a nemesis of the valiant masked urban vigilante Batman and is a disfigured extremist-vigilante who partially blames an apathetic society for his disfigurement and administers punishments with cruelty.
In assessing the human mind's tendencies towards self-destruction and cruelty towards others, we can examine the boundaries between 'redeemable psychosis' (or criminal insanity) and 'unforgivable self-indulgence' (or evil).
A person who kills for legitimate retribution may be considered an 'avenger,' while a person who kills for sport or mischief may be considered a 'maniac.'
Americans love horror films, and the two iconic American horror film franchises, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween, present two eerily masked super-psychos named Leatherface (a chainsaw-wielding cannibal) and Michael Myers (a serial killer who stalks people on Halloween Eve).
Leatherface and Michael Myers are both clearly insane, but their relentless obsession with murder and gore make them unforgivably evil.
If we try to 'psychologically evaluate' these fictional ghouls, we may make observations that they are manic about 'appearing monstrous' or 'creating bloodshed.' They seem intent on 'disfiguring' the face of humanity by preying on very sensitive sensibilities. Leatherface's chainsaw is meant to cause havoc and devastate the flesh, while Michael Myer's preoccupation with Halloween Eve makes him a 'prophet of fear.'
When we read books/stories about 'civilization bureaucrats' made symbolic by their tedious diligence (e.g., Herman Melville's Bartleby the Scrivener), we get the impression that anarchistic tirades against society norms (as exemplified in the characterization of Leatherface and Michael Myers) affords the anti-social criminal a 'window' into 'spiritual deformity.'
This focus on 'spiritual deformity' and its living relationship to 'appearance disfigurement' may be the best criterion for separating psychosis from evil, since it reveals a specific 'intention to seem ugly' (or abnormal).
====
BATMAN: Why do you want to scare people?
LEATHERFACE: Scarecrow is my brother!
BATMAN: Do you believe your chainsaw is a 'tool'?
LEATHERFACE: It is my sword!
BATMAN: Don't you want to be normal?
LEATHERFACE: Evil!
BATMAN: Do you think you were 'born ugly'?
LEATHERFACE: Born to kill!
BATMAN: You need time to contemplate peace.
LEATHERFACE: Violence is my escape!
====