moral insanity

Moral insanity was a historical term used to describe individuals who, despite having normal intelligence and understanding of right and wrong, displayed unethical or disruptive behaviors. It was thought to stem from abnormalities in personality or emotional regulation rather than cognitive ability. Today, the concept is outdated, replaced by more precise diagnoses like psychopathy or antisocial personality disorder, which recognize that some individuals can lack empathy or exhibit callousness despite intact intelligence. In essence, moral insanity referred to a disconnect between knowing what is right and behaving morally, often attributed to underlying emotional or personality issues.