Innocent Criminal

Freudian implication is that we are born criminals and we learn to become human beings as we grow up. Society and family play a major role in brain washing in order to make us human beings. This is diametrically opposite view to the common belief that we are born innocent and get corrupted in the process of growing up.

So the question before us is, “whether a new born child is criminal or innocent?”

A hard core criminal too is governed by Id that is the reason he commits crimes. A child too is governed entirely by Id and they do not have any super ego or ego, and that is the reason a child is basically a criminal. But if this is the logic, then all animals should be considered as criminals since they too do not have super ego.

Then what about the second preposition that child is innocent. If ignorance is equal to innocence, then certainly we are all born innocent, if not then we need to investigate little more. If innocence mean guilt-less, then that term cannot be applied to a child, since one needs intelligence to commit sins. And one needs intelligence plus enlightenment to be sin-less. Sin-less means not merely resisting the temptation to eat the apple, but going beyond it, may be to the level of planting tree.

Looks like we are running round the circle, trying to bite our own tail which had disappeared long back in the evolutionary process.

So, what do we conclude?

If you are happy and contended then better believe in what Freudian proclaims that you were once criminal and now redeemed. It will help you to remain humble and simple.

If you are miserable and guilty, then console yourself saying at least you were innocent once upon a time. It may not solve the problem but temporary nostalgia gives some illusory relief.

But as for me, a child is an innocent criminal. Don’t ask me why? How will I know?