Blogs

Brainstorm

Psychology Today Editors Flood the Psych Zone

by Psychology Today Editors

Kaja Perina is the Editor in Chief of Psychology Today. See full bio

February 5, 2008,

Comments on "A Murderer In Our Midst"

A Murderer In Our Midst

By Kaja Perina on February 5, 2008 in Brainstorm

Eight years ago, Karl Helge Hampus Hellekant made headlines across Sweden when he was convicted of murdering a man in a brawl. (The victim had publicly objected to the neo-Nazi beliefs of one of Hellekant’s friends). Two weeks ago, Hellekant, now Karl Svensson, made headlines again, this time for getting kicked out of the world-renowned Karolinska Institute, a medical school known for selecting Nobel laureates, and for producing top-notch doctors and researchers. Read More

An another big issue in play

Submitted by Carlin Flora on February 5, 2008 - 1:08pm.

An another big issue in play here is the purpose of punishment. If the Swedes assume a person who has served his time in jail can't repent or change his murderous ways, then why let him out at all? If he doesn't harm again, after all, Svensson will be a model example of the power of rehabilitation, second chances, etc.

schoolyard logic

Submitted by Matthew Hutson on February 5, 2008 - 2:06pm.

Exactly. What are our motivations for punishing--retribution or rehabilitation? Our monkey brains say an eye for an eye, but what overall good does TWO missing eyes do us? A civilized approach would be to put aside what he has done and ask what is pragmatically best for him and the rest of society. Assuming he's not going to murder anyone else (and assuming that's a safe assumption), he should be using his skills to heal people, and we should help him do that. -Matt

Being generous at others expense

Submitted by Susie on February 13, 2008 - 12:55pm.

It is not a punishment to tell a murderer that he cannot study medicine.

There is no lack of applicants to Med School.

Nobody so far has said that he would like to see a murderer as his doctor.

Let us not be generous and broad minded at others' expense.

Susie, Sweden

I am also conflicted over

Submitted by Susan on May 20, 2008 - 3:31pm.

I am also conflicted over this issue. I thought your suggestion was brilliant.

However, I'm fascinated that a medical school would accept pre-med correspondence courses.

I never heard of such a thing . . . correspondence courses to fulfill pre-med requirements!!!! Sorry I just had to repeat it. Most students I know who are applying have to have great GPA's from reputable colleges to even be considered.

I'm just not familiar with any reputable medical school accepting correspondence courses. Could you explain this to me. Thanks