Evil Deeds

A Forensic Psychologist on Anger, Madness and Destructive Behavior

Dr. Stephen Diamond is a clinical and forensic psychologist in LA and the author of Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil, and Creativity. See full bio

November 21, 2008, Law and Crime

Comments on "Evil and the Death of Innocence"

Evil and the Death of Innocence

By Dr. Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D. on November 21, 2008 in Evil Deeds

Blind optimism about human nature and denial of the human capacity for destructiveness makes us all the more vulnerable to evil. Read More

Wow, another great read from

Submitted by D on November 21, 2008 - 8:38am.

Wow, another great read from Dr Diamond! - I have narcissistic rage and it's useful to read your blog; becoming aware is important.

Thanx Doc:)

Great post!!!

Submitted by another dead innocent on November 21, 2008 - 7:09pm.

I second D, though, I was on the other end of the spectrum.. A blind innocent. Midwest, loving family, sheltered upbringing.

When I realized my boyfriend of 7 months was NOT who he appeared to be (though looking back it was obvious all the red flags I'd missed), I experienced this cognitive dissonance that you speak of, and I swear to you I thought I had schizophrenia for a day as my brain tried to sort out this new reality of my image of him. I never knew there was a real term for this! I thought my acid days were coming back to haunt me ;)

Anyway, thanks, Dr. Diamond. And I appreciate your trying to be aware, D. I think that's the first step to trying to improve your situation. I know it's not your fault you ended up this way, and awareness is the first step for both of us to improve our situations. Yours trying to tame your rage and me trying to protect myself from it.

I assumed these types of people would be very easy to spot or just existed in movies. I needed to experience "evil" first hand to burst my naive bubble. And I don't hate my ex, I mean, he had been abused as a child, and I'm sure everyday of his life has been his own private hell. I got to taste what his hell was like and WOW, I'm really sorry.

Thinking...

Submitted by PJ on November 22, 2008 - 2:27am.

How come we don't have, as part, at least, of the jury, (for the crime of murder) a strong representation of sociologists? psychologists? or psychiatrists.....do our average jury folk have enough knowledge of the possibility of Mr/s Hydes vs Dr Jekyll?

Am I reaching for fantasy land when I ask for more professional people to be utilised? I do understand the use of specialist witnesses, able to be called in and testify, but maybe we could see that jurys have more people to people knowledge?

There must be a better way...there must...

Thankyou for explaining this, apart from it being so tragic beyond almost comprehension, you offer some clarity..what about also, and so importantly means by which we can educate more people about mental health issues? Kind of like drink/driving, drugs, etc, mental health and redcards, what we maybe capable of as humans?

Do we have enough mental halth education??

Reply to PJ and others

Submitted by Dr. Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D. on December 8, 2008 - 12:11am.

Thanks for your various responses to this post. PJ's point regarding the lack of mental health education in our culture and legal system is crucially important. We need more psychology, but instead the masses receive increasingly less of it these days. As a forrensic psychologist and expert witness for the criminal court, I see my role as largely an educational one, providing attorneys, judges and juries with psychological consultation and edification. This is why I believe the role of the forensic psychologist is so vital and valuable in the justice system. We try to assist non-mental health professionals in better understanding human psychology, psychopathology and the genesis of human evil. For more on this subject, see my book Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil, and Creativity.

Psychology of Evil

Submitted by Rebecca on December 6, 2008 - 10:33pm.

Dear Dr. I found your paper on the Psychology of Evil and its roots in human emotions. However, it appeared you left out jealousy, envy, and resentment. Have you knowledge of entities, made from human body fluids, the tao, and ectoplasm, that are charged with emotions and automatically perform acts or deeds, whether for good or evil? They are commonly called "thought forms." Additionally, I am curious as to how you made the connection between ancient mythology and psychosis? I am aware that often there are those who use ancient names, unaware that such name was assigned to a deity or entity, such as an ancient god, which if not appeased by ancient rituals, can wreak havoc on innocent individuals. I look forward to your responses.
Thank you for your insightful, pragmatic papers.
-Sincerely,