Is Joker insane or simply evil?

[The Overlord]

A lot of writers and fans say Joker is insane, but I often do not see that in the writing.

Most Joker's actions are premeditated, most crazy people do not commit elaborate premeditated crimes. A lot of Joker's actions are designed to intentionally inflict pain on others for his own amusement, that is not insane, most crazy people do not have the mental capability to know their actions hurt others. Psychopaths hurt others to gain power over them (its the M.O of most serial killers).

So is Joker insane or simply evil?

I think Joker is simply a cynical, anti social psychopath and thus not criminally insane.

[MindofShadow]

insanely evil

[Totoro Man]

just evil. there isn't a country in the world where he could be regarded as legally insane and therefore not responsible for his actions. besides, in the realm of superhero comics there are very few characters that could truly be called 'genius' or 'insane'... in spite of narrative hyperbole to the contrary. ;-)

[JBatmanFan05]

Joker has antisocial personality disorder, i.e. psychopathy or sociopathy. So he's mentally ill in that sense.

But legal insanity is purely a legal issue and under the predominant standard (effected after Reagan's assassination attempt), Joker probably doesn't meet it. Thus, Joker must have some great lawyers and faking skills in the DCU.

[fanfan13]

insanely evil

Agreed

But well I think he is more evil than insane. The insanity image comes from enjoying the evil act itself. He doesn't really have a solid purpose unless pure entertainment, does he? I don't know. I'm not Joker so I don't really understand.

[adrikito]

BOTH THINGS...

Because he is insane he is evil..

[The Whovian]

The Joker is both, insane and evil

[Rocco]

both

JOKER_voteforme.jpg

DONT 4GET FUNNYYY

[UnderTheRedHood]

I think it might be a combination of both. hes also really smart on top of all of that.

[Carabas]

He's both, but I think he's a lot of evil and not nearly as crazy as he pretends to be.

[CPSparkles]

I think it might be a combination of both. hes also really smart on top of all of that.

^^^ This ^^^^

[Kingcrimsonprog]

Depends on the writer.

Also, could anyone truly be evil without having something wrong with them? Surely being evil is abnormality of the brain? Any doctors on the board here?

[dietrich]

He's not mad. He's differently sane.

[The Overlord]

The Joker is both, insane and evil

I don't you can be truly insane and evil.

Evil is a moral choice, you chose to do something wrong over something right for selfish or immoral reasons. The criminally insane can't make moral choices, their moral agency is impaired.

Depends on the writer.

Also, could anyone truly be evil without having something wrong with them? Surely being evil is abnormality of the brain? Any doctors on the board here?

Well psychopaths have different brains then other people, but while they lack empathy, they can understand moral logic.They are legally sane. If a serial killer has OCD, he is still legally sane.

But you can't say a corporate tycoon who endangers or cheats people due to greed, is insane.

[Carabas]

I don't you can truly insane and evil.

Evil is a moral choice, you chose to do something wrong over something right for selfish or immoral reasons. The criminally insane can't make moral choices, their moral agency is impaired.

Not criminally insane, which is a legal term, not a medical one, and and doesn't actually require you to be mentally ill.
Regular insane (for comicbook values of regular).

And the Joker isn't even criminally insane. He very clearly knows right from wrong.