argument top image

Why do we fetishize serial killers?
Back to question

Serial killers live like regular people

People can’t spot a serial killer off the street. Serial killers often live normal lives among people.

The Argument

Serial killers don’t look like criminals. Ted Bundy is a good example of a serial killer who tricked people by having a normal life. He received a psychology degree and had a family of his own.[1] Because he was so popular, people never suspected he was a killer. If serial killers live regular lives like Ted Bundy before they’re caught, they are still seen as a regular person after they’re caught. Because they’re seen as a regular person, they are still seen as a typical person in society.

Counter arguments

Although a serial killer might live like a normal person, there are a lot of internal issues that people don’t see. Dr. Al Carlisle analyzed Ted Bundy’s psychological process and realized that there were three reasons why Bundy was able to function normally and kill at the same time. The main reason was fantasy, the ability to keep his inmost desires away from his public persona.[2]

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Ted Bundy was popular before he was caught, therefore, people still liked him after he was caught. [P2] Serial killers usually look like regular people. [P3] After they are caught, serial killers are still positively seen by the public.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] Serial killers aren’t accepted by the victim’s families. Serial killers shouldn’t be praised by the public.

References

  1. https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/ted-bundy
  2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201208/imagining-ted-bundy
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 14 Apr 2020 at 15:17 UTC

Explore related arguments