Abstract

The Author develops the concept of perverted idealism, which allows us to explain how crimes can be committed without remorse, indeed believing to do commendable and dutiful actions, because they are carried out in the name of a higher ideal. The examples given are those of genocide perpetrators, doctors involved in the exterminations of patients, antivaccinists, terrorists, members of cults, Mission Oriented Motive serial killers, white-collar criminals.