--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Philosophers and many proponents of…" description: "\"“Philosophers and many proponents of cognitive psychology hold that moral judgments are within our control, and thus people who choose to commit crimes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/katherine-ramsland-46179_character_philosophers-and-many-proponents-of-cogn_2023946.jpg" --- # Philosophers and many proponents of cognitive psychology… ![“Philosophers and many proponents of cognitive psychology hold that moral judgments are within our control, and thus people who choose to commit crimes, barring delusions, know what they are doing and that it is wrong. The legal system depends on this notion. However, recent research suggests that…” quote by Katherine Ramsland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/katherine-ramsland-46179_character_philosophers-and-many-proponents-of-cogn_2023946.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/katherine-ramsland-46179_character_philosophers-and-many-proponents-of-cogn_2023946.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/katherine-ramsland-46179_character_philosophers-and-many-proponents-of-cogn_2023946.jpg) > ““Philosophers and many proponents of cognitive psychology hold that moral judgments are within our control, and thus people who choose to commit crimes, barring delusions, know what they are doing and that it is wrong. The legal system depends on this notion. However, recent research suggests that damage to an area of the brain just behind the eyes can transform the way people make moral decisions. The results indicate that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, implicated in the feeling of compassion, may be the foundation for moral regulations, assisting us in inhibiting (or not) harmful treatment of others. Failure in its development, or damage to it, might alter the way a person perceives the moral landscape, which will thus affect his or her actions. If juries include information of this kind in their deliberations, it could mitigate the harshness of the sentences they impose on convicted criminals. While more research must be done, other types of brain scans are being entered as evidence in the trials of some heinous crimes to show that the perpetrator could not help what he did.”” [Katherine Ramsland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-ramsland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Brain damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex can impair moral judgment, suggesting legal responsibility might consider neurological factors. **In simple terms:** Brain injury can affect moral choices, influencing legal judgments. Key Takeaway Consider neuroscience when assessing criminal culpability. Themes ethics law neuroscience responsibility Mood thoughtful critical Type ethical legal When to use this quote - court sentencing - psychiatric evaluation - policy making - defense strategy Key Concepts moral psychology brain injury legal ethics Questions to Reflect On - Should moral responsibility be reduced for brain‑injured offenders? - How reliable are brain scans in court? A Different Perspective Neuroscience evidence is still controversial and may be misused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Legal system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legal-system/) [Moral decisions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-decisions/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [The moral landscape is the framework I use for thinking about questions of morality and human values in universal terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/the-moral-landscape-is-the-framework-i-use-for-thinking-about/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [Any neuroscience book is the death of me. I'm currently obsessed with 'The Moral Landscape' from Sam Harris. 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