# Keeping yourself from committing horrible crimes **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042 "2013-03-26T20:58:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/41 "2013-03-27T13:06:52Z")
I don’t want to share a shower with the Aryan Brotherhood. And I don’t want Nancy Grace dissing me on TV. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/42 "2013-03-27T13:09:23Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > …cause I’m not an insane sociopath. Quite simply this. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/43 "2013-03-27T13:23:49Z")
I suspect that many, if not most, of the people who commit the sorts of crimes mentioned in the OP have some sort of [impulse control disorder](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_control_disorder). (I don’t; so that’s one answer right there.) I join other posters in saying that I don’t _want_ to commit horrible crimes, so there’s not much effort involved in not doing so; but I’m wary of saying for sure what I could or could not _feel like_ doing given sufficient provocation. When it comes to bad things that I might actually be tempted to do, usually my conscience and my inhibitions are enough to keep me from any real danger of acting on my urges. If that’s not enough, I can talk myself out of it by thinking of the consequences: the harm that it would do both to the victim(s) and to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/44 "2013-03-27T13:30:21Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > The\* Imp Of The Perverse\* frequently suggests to me that I should do some outrageous thing - sometimes these things involve harm to other people, but I find myself horrified at the thought. > > I don’t need to be told that suffering is unpleasant - I don’t wish to have it inflicted on me, I don’t like watching or thinking about other people suffering, so it seems to make sense not to inflict suffering on others. “Imp of the Perverse” is my spouse’s dopername, so I frequently have the **Imp of the Perverse** telling me _ **not** _ to do outrageous things. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/45 "2013-03-27T13:49:21Z")
I wanted to kill someone once. Just once, one person. He had done horrific things to two little girls I love very much, and he dared to turn up on our doorstep. I had a machete in my hand and I didn’t do it. Why? Good question. I think I knew that wanting to kill him was just a visceral impulse. My brain was still there, beneath the adrenaline. I don’t believe that my actions would be just. There is a justice system to deal with that. Despite its faults I choose the justice system over my visceral anger. Maybe that’s it. It sounds kinda like a rationalisation after the fact, rather than what actually happened in my head. I don’t know. Anyway, I didn’t hurt him and I wouldn’t now. I scared him, it was good enough. I can’t come up with any better analysis. I wasn’t particularly thinking of the consequences at that time, anyway. Or maybe it was just habit and upbringing. I’ve never been violent in my life, not being violent is not a difficult thing to me, even if you want it on some level. Hmm it’s a good question, I’ll keep thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Donna\_Lange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Donna\_Lange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donna_Lange)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/46 "2013-03-27T13:54:00Z")
Simple reason - Most people don’t even think about those things. And when they do, they usually think about the consequences of their actions even if the thought is cathartic. It takes a very sick mind to do such horrible acts as murder entire rooms of people usually. However, if you slap an enemy label on them, it becomes pretty easy… especially if you are lauded and rewarded for it. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/47 "2013-03-27T14:20:02Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > God told me not to. … if it hasn’t been said already, this is a terrifying answer. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/48 "2013-03-27T14:32:05Z")
More terrifying than “because I don’t feel like it”? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/49 "2013-03-27T14:42:23Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > More terrifying than “because I don’t feel like it”? > > Regards, > Shodan Yes, ab-so-lutely. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/50 "2013-03-27T14:50:06Z")
Day ain’t over yet. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/51 "2013-03-27T15:13:49Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > if it hasn’t been said already, this is a terrifying answer. “God told me to do it” is a bit scarier. ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/52 "2013-03-27T15:15:20Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > if it hasn’t been said already, this is a terrifying answer. Damn, I knew _someone_ wasn’t going to ignore him. ETA: sorry, closer inspection reveals you’re not the only one. Aaaaaand, here we go… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/53 "2013-03-27T15:20:27Z")
Luckily for the world, I am quite lazy. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/54 "2013-03-27T15:52:01Z")
Pure and simple empathy. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/55 "2013-03-27T16:06:03Z")
Empathy. I want others to be happy and fulfilled and I don’t want to interfere with their pursuit of same. Mark me down as someone else who is dismayed by the idea that the only thing preventing a crime is a religious commandment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m relieved that people who lack empathy and a sense of social responsibility have sought an alternative to encourage good behavior, but yikes. ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/56 "2013-03-27T16:18:41Z")
Depends on what it is. There’s women at work I’d love to choke to death but…I hear it’s illegal - and I don’t know if I could do it anyways because some of them are …well they’re pretty BIG women. I’d also like to round up tons of illegal immigrants and drop them on their face just outside the border…but I hear that’s illegal too (irony!!!) It would be hilarious to take a bunch of kittens to the office of PETA, bury them up to their heads in grass and then run over them with a lawn mower… but alas that’s probably illegal too. There are some things however I don’t do or will do, regardless of the law - beliefs, morals, ethics get in the way. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/57 "2013-03-27T17:16:03Z")
For sure there’s some people I’d like to kill, at times. I did almost kill someone once, an ex who hit me. I snapped and didn’t even realize what I was doing. I’ve pulled a gun on a would be intruder, who saw the gun and ran away. I don’t put that in the same category as the OP. The ex hit me for no reason, not that there is a valid reason for a man to hit a woman. It came out of nowhere and it hurt. The other I considered to be self defense. Someone trying to come in my bedroom window in the middle of the night isn’t coming in to say ‘hello’. Whether or not I would have pulled the trigger and how I would have felt afterwards, I’ll never know. What was disturbing was that within two days the entire neighborhood knew I had pulled a gun on someone and I hadn’t told anybody. That tells me whoever it was knew me, knew my routine and had they been coming to rob me they would have come during the day when I was at work. AFAIAC, they were coming for me. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/58 "2013-03-27T17:27:02Z")
1. Because I have no reason to harm that person. 2. Because even if I have a reason, I have no wish to harm that person. 3. Because even if I have a reason and a wish, I can experience the world through that person’s eyes and understand that my harming them doesn’t make anything better. (Empathy) 4. Because even if I have a reason and a wish, and my empathy for that person isn’t enough of a restraint, my empathy for those who care for that person does. 5. Because even if I have a reason and a wish, and my empathy for that person and the ones who love them isn’t enough of a restraint, _I do not want to be that kind of person_. 6. Because even if . . . all of that is enough that I no longer care what kind of person I am, I am aware that the world does not work if the people with cause to harm others just go ahead and do so. 7. Because even if I don’t care if the world goes to hell in a handbasket, I owe and care for my loved ones too much to put them through their sister/daughter/friend/whatever being a killer. 8. Because even if all that, I’m all too aware of the Law of Unintended Consequences, and that harming that person will result in many, many ugly things I did not foresee, but I can pretty much guarantee that I wouldn’t get what I wanted. I’ve actually never gotten past #5, and usually, it stops at #3 or #4. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/59 "2013-03-27T20:55:14Z")
I hate dealing with strangers. Really really really hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042/60 "2013-03-27T21:19:03Z")
Wow. This thread is getting distoibing, Moe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-yourself-from-committing-horrible-crimes/654042.md?page=4)