The Limits of Scientific Control

Discussion Thread: The Limits of Scientific Control

This is a graded discussion: 50 points possible

The purpose of our first discussion is to give students the opportunity to think critically about the scientific goal of behavioral control and how it applies to real-world situations.  For the current discussion, please consider the following hypothetical case, and then, in your thread, address the issues delineated below.

“A judge has contacted a surgical group at the request of two prison inmates.  The surgeons discuss whether they should do as the judge and inmates propose.  One inmate with pedophilia, convicted of sexual abuse of children, seeks castration.  The other inmate is extremely violent and seeks psychosurgery.  Both hope to shorten their incarceration (Veatch, 1997, p. 309).”

1. Using at least two scholarly citations (one for each argument), provide an argument in favor of and an argument opposed to performing psychosurgeries like the ones described above on consenting patients who are violent, antisocial or otherwise capable of criminal acts.

2. Explain which stance (for or against) is most consistent with your own beliefs about the use of psychosurgery for behavioral control.

3. Using at least one scriptural citation, explain which stance (for or against) is most consistent with a biblical worldview of how to govern violent or antisocial individuals.

Post-First: This course utilizes the Post-First feature in all Discussions. This means you will only be able to read and interact with your classmates’ threads after you have submitted your thread in response to the provided prompt.

Submit your thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of Module 1: Week 1.