OMSI Science Pub
Science+Beer=Fun
Psychopathy and the Neuroscience of Morality
With Octavio Choi, MD, PhD, Adjunct
Clinical Professor in the Public Psychiatry Division of Oregon Health
& Science University, and Director of the Forensic Evaluation Service at
the Oregon State Hospital
Why do some people live lawful lives, while others gravitate toward repeated
criminality? Do people choose to be moral or immoral, or is morality simply a
genetically inherited function of the brain, like mathematical ability?
Research suggests certain regions of the brain influence moral reasoning and
increasingly establishes psychopathy as a biological condition explained by
defective neural circuits that mediate empathy.
In this talk, Dr. Octavio Choi will explore how emerging neuroscience
challenges long-held assumptions underlying the basis—and punishment—of
criminal behavior. He will talk about how neuroscience evidence is being
increasingly used in criminal court proceedings to argue for mitigation, and
the limitations and potential of such evidence. Finally, he will discuss moral
and ethical dilemmas raised when biological causes are ascribed to criminal
behaviors.
Dr. Choi is an affiliate faculty member in the Psychiatry Department of
Oregon Health & Science University, and director of the Forensic Evaluation
Service at the Oregon State Hospital. He graduated from Stanford University
with a bachelor of science in a self-designed major of computational neuroscience.
He received his medical and doctorate degrees under the federally funded
Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of California, San Diego.
His doctorate in neurosciences was awarded for work on the molecular mechanisms
of visual system development in the lab of Dennis O'Leary at the Salk
Institute. Dr. Choi completed psychiatry residency at UCLA-Neuropsychiatric
Institute, and a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at University of
Pennsylvania.
During his fellowship, Dr. Choi specialized in the ?eld of neurolaw under
the guidance of Stephen Morse. Academic interests include evaluating the
use of neuro-evidence in the courts, particularly in the area of lie detection
with functional neuroimaging. As a forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Choi specializes
in complex cases evaluating criminal responsibility involving claims of
biological causation of behaviors such as brain damage, medical conditions, and
medication use.
Outside of work, Dr. Choi is an avid musician and meditator, and has
completed over 28 weeks of silent meditation retreat in the Vipassana
tradition.
$5 advance purchase for guaranteed seats;
$5 suggested donation at the door. Tickets available online
or at the OMSI front desk until midnight the day prior to the event.
- Calendar:
- http://www.omsi.edu/sciencepubportland
- Website:
- http://www.omsi.edu