The Coming of a Neurocentric Age? Neurosciences and the new biology of violence: a historian’s comment

The article begins with an observation regarding the increasing presence of neuroscientists in criminological, pedagogical, economic, and religious discourses. How have neuroscientists managed to enter into public and political debates that are not about medical issues such as the prevention and treatment of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, but rather social, economic, and political issues? Focusing on the field of criminology, I first cast a critical look at the criminological narratives of neuroscientists and emphasize the critical function of evolutionary theory as a kind of a ‘putty’ to turn scattered empirical evidence into a coherent narrative. Secondly, I reflect on the promises linked to this new perspective that brings a biological turn to criminology. Thirdly, I discuss the implications of this biological turn for our understanding of the social context as well as conceptions of normality within criminological narratives and criminal policy.