Moral Insanity

Moral Insanity

In the Past

A term used by medical men, which has not yet acquired much reputation in the courts. Moral insanity is said to consist in a morbid perversion of the moral feelings, affections, inclinations, temper, habits and moral dispositions, without any notable lesion of the intellect or knowing and reasoning faculties and particularly without any maniacal hallucination. Prichard, art. Insanity, in Cyclopaedia of Practical Medicine

Developments

It is contended that some human beings exist, who, as a result of a wrong in the moral organs, are as blind to the dictates of justice, as others are deaf to melody. Combe, Moral Philosophy, Lect. 12.

Details

In some, this species of malady is said to display itself in an irresistible propensity to commit murder; in others, to commit theft or arson. Though most people afflicted with this malady commit such crimes, there are others whose disease is manifest in nothing but irascibility. Annals D'Hygiène tom. i. p. 284. Many are subjected to melancholy and dejection, without any delusion or illusion. This, perhaps without full consideration, has been judicially declared to be a “groundless theory.” The courts and law writers, have not given it their full assent. 1 Chit. Med. Jur. 352; 1 Beck, Med. Jur. 553 Ray, Med. Jur. Prel. Views, 23, p. 49. [1]

Resources

Notes and References

1. Partialy, this information about moral insanity is based on the Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1848 edition. There is a list of terms of the Bouvier's Law Dictionary, including moral insanity.

See Also