This is Logic?

Joan Jacobs Brumberg, writing for the New York Times, opines,

"But new research in the behavioral sciences suggests that we should start to think about violent youths in a different, more logical way. Studies by the MacArthur Foundation’s Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice are finding that the cognitive, emotional and social development of adolescents is incomplete, and that boys well into their late teens have difficulty curbing their impulses, thinking through long-term consequences and — most relevant to Lee Malvo — resisting the influence of others. These problems persist in adolescent behavior, past or present.

While it’s hard to establish exactly when maturity occurs, conflating childhood and adulthood is a relic of Charley Miller’s time. As a country, we need to exempt youthful offenders from capital punishment, just as the Supreme Court excluded the mentally retarded in a recent case. Kentucky’s governor understood this and set matters right. Let’s hope the jury now deciding Lee Malvo’s fate does the same."

When I read this type of drivel, it calls to mind the many biographies I devoured about the early presidents, statesmen and other personages of the U.S. when I was a lad.  Daniel Boone, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Kit Carson, George Washington etc.  The books, written for young people ages 10 - 15 or so, would provide details of these eminent peoples’ lives; such as they were providing food for the family larder, via hunting, at the age of 12.  Or, that at the age of 14 or 15, said biographical individual, was in charge of the family books or some such task of importance.  My question is, have people de-evolved so drastically since these times that maturity never is reached and taking responsibility for your actions is nothing more than a rumination for philosophers?

Posted by on 12/18 at 04:37 AM

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