Stephen J. Morse

In the Media: Stephen J. Morse

“Neuroscience can give us tons of data that teaches us about our capacities and our propensities, but ultimately it’s up to us to decide" how that relates to laws governing behavior and accountability, said Penn Law Professor Stephen Morse. "Neuroscience might have a lot of information for us, but ultimately deciding what to do won’t be decided by neuroscience, it will be decided by us.” (8/9/2009). Reuters.
Penn Law Professor Stephen Morse, a psychologist and expert in criminal law, told a Dartmouth College audience that what we learn about the human brain in the coming century is more likely to help improve laws that bring them crashing down. (Valley News) (3/9/2009).
Experimental neural scans, brain-wave memory probes and other controversial techniques are finding their way into scores of criminal proceedings, where judges usually are left on their own to assess its scientific validity. "What tends to happen with science is that people get starry-eyed about what it can do for the law," says University of Pennsylvania law professor Stephen Morse, who sees the potential for misinterpretation. "Then the train leaves the station heading in the wrong direction." (1/15/2009). Wall Street Journal.
Law and Psychiatry Professor Stephen Morse says that cases involving neuroscience are still relatively rare - and for good reason. Things like foolproof lie detectors based on brain scans are still "more popular imagination than reality” although some companies have begun marketing such devices. (3/2/2008). Forbes .
Law and Psychiatry Professor Stephen Morse explores the implications for law of the new neuroscience. (1/14/2008). “Justice Talking,” National Public Radio.
Law and Psychiatry Professor Stephen J. Morse appears on the Charlie Rose Show to discuss Neurolaw. (6/11/2007). Audio.
Law and Psychiatry Professor Stephen J. Morse says, “Virtually always, when people claim they committed a crime in an automatic state, that automatic state was relatively transient,” refuting the "neurolaw" defense presented in the Peter Braunstein case. (4/30/2007). The New York Times .
Professor of Law and Psychiatry Stephen J. Morse insists, "Brains do not commit crimes: people commit crimes." Sunday Magazine, The New York Times. (3/11/2007). Article.
Professor of Law and Psychiatry Stephen Morse discusses whether new advances in neuroscience and brain imaging should change our idea of criminal responsibility. Minnesota Public Radio (2/1/2007). Audio.
Law and Psychiatry Professor Stephen Morse discusses whether the lack of empathy in psychopaths could affect their legal responsibility. Wired. (9/27/2006). Article.
Law and Psychiatry Professor Stephen Morse and his co-author argue in a New York Times op-ed that "the criteria for responsibility -- intentionality and moral capacity -- are social and legal concepts, not scientific, medical or psychiatric ones." (7/30/2006). Article.

In the Media: Stephen J. Morse

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