Skip to Content

Evil or Ill?

Justifying the Insanity Defence

By Lawrie Reznek

Published October 2nd 1997 by Routledge – 344 pages

Series: Philosophical Issues in Science

Purchasing Options:

eBook Ordering Options

Description

Lawrie Reznek addresses these questions and more in his controversial investigation of the insanity defense in Evil or Ill? Drawing from countless intriguing case examples, he aims to understand the concept of an excuse, and explains why the law excuses certain actions and not others. In his easily accessible and elegant style, he explains that in law, there exists two excuses derived from Aristotle: the excuses of ignorance and compulsion. Reznek, however proposes a third excuse - the excuse of character change. In introducing this third excuse, Reznek raises a controversial possibility - the abolition of the insanity defence.

Reviews

'Anyone wanting a comprehensive introduction to his difficult area need look no further.' - Times Higher Education Supplement

'Illuminating … fascinating … Reznek adopts what might be called a common-sense approach.' - Times Literary Supplement

Name: Evil or Ill?: Justifying the Insanity Defence (Paperback) – Routledge 
Description: By Lawrie Reznek. Lawrie Reznek addresses these questions and more in his controversial investigation of the insanity defense in Evil or Ill? Drawing from countless intriguing case examples, he aims to understand the concept of an excuse, and explains why the law excuses...
Categories: Philosophy of Law, Philosophy of Science