Marquis de Sade: Inside the Sadistic Mind
04/07/25 • 58 min
The term "sadistic killer" traces back to the Marquis de Sade, an 18th-century French nobleman whose criminal actions and controversial writings initiated an entire psychological classification now used in profiling serial murderers.
• Criminal justice defines sadistic killers as offenders who derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain and suffering
• The FBI's classification identifies specific patterns including captivity, torture, and careful planning
• The Marquis de Sade's notorious crimes included imprisoning, torturing, and sexually assaulting multiple victims
• His philosophical writings advocated for pursuing pleasure without moral restraints
• Notable works like "The 120 Days of Sodom" blended graphic depictions with complex philosophical arguments
• The term "sadism" was coined in 1886 by psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing
• Several notorious serial killers have been influenced by Sade's writings, including Ian Brady of the Moors Murders
• The concept raises philosophical questions about consent, harm, and where society draws moral boundaries
If you're enjoying our podcast, please follow, rate, or subscribe on your preferred platform. Downloads help our growth, so share with friends, family, or coworkers through word of mouth or social media. Visit our website at www.deviantcriminology.com for show notes and more information.
www.deviantcriminology.com
The term "sadistic killer" traces back to the Marquis de Sade, an 18th-century French nobleman whose criminal actions and controversial writings initiated an entire psychological classification now used in profiling serial murderers.
• Criminal justice defines sadistic killers as offenders who derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain and suffering
• The FBI's classification identifies specific patterns including captivity, torture, and careful planning
• The Marquis de Sade's notorious crimes included imprisoning, torturing, and sexually assaulting multiple victims
• His philosophical writings advocated for pursuing pleasure without moral restraints
• Notable works like "The 120 Days of Sodom" blended graphic depictions with complex philosophical arguments
• The term "sadism" was coined in 1886 by psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing
• Several notorious serial killers have been influenced by Sade's writings, including Ian Brady of the Moors Murders
• The concept raises philosophical questions about consent, harm, and where society draws moral boundaries
If you're enjoying our podcast, please follow, rate, or subscribe on your preferred platform. Downloads help our growth, so share with friends, family, or coworkers through word of mouth or social media. Visit our website at www.deviantcriminology.com for show notes and more information.
www.deviantcriminology.com
Previous Episode
Beyond Bars: The Hidden World of Parole and Probation
Probation and parole represent distinct forms of criminal supervision in the United States, each with its own purpose and impact on millions of Americans caught in the justice system. We explore the key differences between these alternative sentencing approaches and trace their evolution from the 1840s to today's complex implementation challenges.
• Probation functions as punishment itself, allowing offenders to remain in the community under supervision rather than going to prison
• Parole operates as a reward system, providing early release for prisoners who demonstrate rehabilitation
• John Augustus, a Boston cobbler, pioneered probation by bailing out minor offenders and helping them find jobs in the 1840s
• The term "parole" comes from the French word for "word of honor" and began in New York's corrections system in the 1870s
• Approximately 3.6 million Americans are on probation and 878,000 on parole according to most recent data
• Supervision systems face significant challenges including inadequate resources, overwhelming caseloads, and racial disparities
• Nearly half of state prison admissions result from probation and parole violations rather than new crimes
• Dual diagnosis (concurrent substance use and mental health disorders) requires specialized treatment often unavailable to those on supervision
• Technology like ignition interlocks and electronic monitoring plays an increasing role in supervision systems
• Evidence-based practices including cognitive behavioral interventions show promise for improving outcomes and reducing recidivism
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Next Episode
The Bath School Massacre: America's Forgotten Tragedy
The Bath School Massacre of 1927 stands as the deadliest school attack in US history, yet remains largely forgotten in American memory. Andrew Kehoe, fueled by financial troubles and anger over increased school taxes, meticulously planned and executed a devastating bombing that claimed 45 lives, including 38 children.
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• After suffering financial hardships and facing farm foreclosure, Kehoe blamed rising property taxes for his problems
• Despite serving on the school board, Kehoe harbored growing resentment toward the Bath community
• Over several months, Kehoe secretly planted explosives throughout the school building
• On May 18, 1927, Kehoe detonated explosives at his farm, killed his wife, then targeted the school
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• The attack shares disturbing parallels with modern mass violence events, highlighting our continued struggle to identify warning signs
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Deviant Criminology - Marquis de Sade: Inside the Sadistic Mind
Transcript
So in criminal justice and criminal psychology a sadistic killer is defined as an offender who derives sexual gratification or pleasure from inflicting pain , suffering and humiliation on their victims . This type of killer is characterized by a deep-seated compulsion to dominate , control and degrade others through acts of extreme violence and torture . The concept of sadistic killers h
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