By: Charlie Buckreis
In this research paper, I plan to dive into the psyches of some of the major authors we’ve read and investigate how their histories may have been linked to their works. For example, how might Hitler’s loss of his mother and brother be linked to his later choices? How might Kaczinsky’s exceptionally high IQ have contributed to his eventual choice to make and send bombs? These questions are among those that I will attempt to answer in my paper.
I plan to use medical records, primary and secondary source accounts about the person’s life, and the DSM-V as my main sources of information. I will be looking specifically at life events that may have caused changes to the person’s psychological and/or neurological state/health. I will also be looking into possible underlying conditions, mainly mental health disorders, but also any possible underlying general health conditions. Furthermore, I will be looking into possible predispositions to disorders or conditions.
I plan to use both psychological and historical sources for this research paper. I do not plan to try and diagnose anything, nor do I plan to try to definitively prove anything. My goal with this research paper is to find and provide evidence to support both the idea that people are not inherently evil and that our choices are defined by our past. I will be supporting the idea that human beings are not born with any specific alignment but rather that our experiences shape who we are and the types of choices we will make.