Case Center for Inquiry gets in touch with "evil" side of genes
Meredith Collier
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News
What is it that makes some humans evil? How can people like Adolf Hitler, "Uncle Joe" Stalin, or Slobodan Milosevic commit such atrocities supposedly without blinking an eye? How could a young woman steal her own mother's boyfriend? Barbara Oakley, an associate professor of engineering at Oakland University, proposes answers to just those questions, and posits that humans might actually possess a genetic pre-disposition to evil behaviors, in her new book Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, Enron Failed, and My Sister Stole My Mother's Boyfriend. Recently, student group Case Center for Inquiry, along with the Northeast Ohio Center for Inquiry chapter, invited Oakley to speak here at Case Western.
Oakley explained that, in truth, there is no one "evil" gene. Instead, it is much more likely that when genes 'line up' in a certain way, that a person then exhibits "evil" behavior, such as borderline personality disorders, the inability to feel remorse, or pleasure at seeing others in pain. Oakley pointed out that in a recent study, brain scans were done on school-age bullies, and it was discovered that the pleasure sensors of the brain "lit up" whenever these bullies saw pictures of other people being hurt.
The real problem of "evil" genes is when society is presented with a "borderpath," or someone who exhibits so many evil tendencies, yet also possesses qualities that society traditionally deems as valuable, such as good looks, charm, charisma, and a good memory. Oakley pointed out that Hitler was one such person.
"You have to be able to convince people that what you're doing is good for them," she said, regarding Hitler's behavior, "and it's easier to convince a large group of people you're doing what's right."
Perhaps most haunting of all was the personal story that Oakley wove throughout her book. Oakley's own older sister, Carolyn, often exhibited many of the same "borderpath" tendencies. At age 19, Carolyn ran away for 10 years. Upon her arrival, Carolyn stayed for only an hour, met a new man at the grocery store, and moved in with him for five years. Years later, when Carolyn discovered that her mother's boyfriend was taking her to Paris, Carolyn immediately moved back to her hometown, charmed her mother's boyfriend, and soon found herself on a plane to Paris.
Oakley explained that, in truth, there is no one "evil" gene. Instead, it is much more likely that when genes 'line up' in a certain way, that a person then exhibits "evil" behavior, such as borderline personality disorders, the inability to feel remorse, or pleasure at seeing others in pain. Oakley pointed out that in a recent study, brain scans were done on school-age bullies, and it was discovered that the pleasure sensors of the brain "lit up" whenever these bullies saw pictures of other people being hurt.
The real problem of "evil" genes is when society is presented with a "borderpath," or someone who exhibits so many evil tendencies, yet also possesses qualities that society traditionally deems as valuable, such as good looks, charm, charisma, and a good memory. Oakley pointed out that Hitler was one such person.
"You have to be able to convince people that what you're doing is good for them," she said, regarding Hitler's behavior, "and it's easier to convince a large group of people you're doing what's right."
Perhaps most haunting of all was the personal story that Oakley wove throughout her book. Oakley's own older sister, Carolyn, often exhibited many of the same "borderpath" tendencies. At age 19, Carolyn ran away for 10 years. Upon her arrival, Carolyn stayed for only an hour, met a new man at the grocery store, and moved in with him for five years. Years later, when Carolyn discovered that her mother's boyfriend was taking her to Paris, Carolyn immediately moved back to her hometown, charmed her mother's boyfriend, and soon found herself on a plane to Paris.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Dan Smalley
posted 11/21/08 @ 8:45 PM EST
Thanks for the great article!
Brian Brauchler
posted 12/08/08 @ 2:06 PM EST
"Borderpath" = psychopath + borderline personality disorder. It's a term made up by Barbara Oakley, not a diagnosable illness. However, that doesn't mean the combination isn't possible, or more likely in some individuals due to genetic predisposition. (Continued…)
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