The Minority ReportPredicting the Future

Definition of racial profiling

Racial profiling occurs when someone’s race is used by

law enforcement officials (police, airport security, counter-

terrorist agencies etc.) as a basis for criminal suspicion.

The reason for suspicion is race rather than suspicious

behaviour, criminal clues, witness reports, evidence etc.

Racial profiling versus

criminal profiling

Racial profiling should be distinguished from criminal

profiling. Criminal profiles are a set of personal and

behavioral characteristics associated with particular

crimes.

Police use such profiles, often with great success, to

predict who may commit crimes in the future, or identify

what type of person may have committed a particular

crime for which no credible suspect has been identified or

eye-witness description provided.

Discussion Points

What would it mean for the individual if we could see into the future and predict their actions?

Can an individual be held responsible for a crime they have not yet committed?

Is there such a thing as fate/destiny?

What about free will?

What is the role of religion, astrology, the supernatural etc?