The Loeb-Leopold case - The Clarence Darrow Collection

A. Yes, sir.
The Loeb'Leopold Case
Q. Then, if ever, with the young man or the young
woman, they are the most apt to jump out of or leave the
habits that have been inculcated in them to keep in a given
path and break over on account of new feelings or emotions,
are they not?
A. They are. We are all familiar with the swell-head
of youth.
Q. And it is the most prolific time for insanity with youth,
is it not?
A. Yes.
Q. Do one's beliefs and theories of action or theories
of life ever affect his conduct?
A. Oh, yes.
Q. Well, doctor, Leopold's views as to religion seemed
very thoroughly fixed, did they not?
A. I thought so.
Q. As to the superman, did you go into it enough to know
whether those were firmly fixed?
A. No.
Q. How far one's conduct might be influenced by his
views would depend a good deal upon the strength and permanency
of them, would it not?
A. It would.
Q. And that you could not give an opinion on in this
case?
A. No, excepting as to his attitude on religion.
Q. You know something about dreams?
A. Yes. I regularly inquire into the character of dreams
in nervous people. According to Freud they are a very good
index of character. I do not follow Freud to that degree.
Q. Do you follow him to any extent?
A. No. The character of the dreams, whether pleasurable
or unpleasurable, has for me a significance as a reflex of the
physical condition; but the content of the dream to my
mind is of very little significance.
Q. Do fantasies have anything to do in diagnoses?
A. Yes. I think fantasies have a significance in regard
to character.
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