Psychopathy
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Psychopathy is a psychological condition apparently caused by total disinterest in the welfare of others, i.e. lack of any empathetic sense. The major symptom is a consistent tendency towards amoral and antisocial behavior.
Studies indicate that psychopaths make up approximately 5% of the general population, but a larger percentage of positions of power (in government, corporations, and other organizations).
[edit] lack of objectivity
One trait which has been observed but not yet (as far as we know) rigorously confirmed is that, to a psychopath, there is no such thing as objective reality; "reality" is whatever the psychopath can convince other people that it is, and "facts" are whatever the psychopath feels are most convenient for her/his current purposes or desires. With no objective reality and no solid facts upon which to base an argument, all negotiation is a carrot-and-stick power struggle, and all criticisms are strictly personal.
[edit] argumentative strategies
Psychopaths tend to use the following rhetorical deceptions:
- diversion, a.k.a. shifting the topic
- lying
- covert intimidation
- minimization
- vilifying the victim
- rationalization
- denial
[edit] quotes
| Dr. Kevin Barrett said: |
|
So-called conspiracy theorists, some of whom deserve the pejorative connotation of that much-abused term, often imagine that secret societies of Jews, Jesuits, bankers, communists, Bilderbergers, Muslim extremists, papists, and so on, are secretly controlling history, doing dastardly deeds, and/or threatening to take over the world. As a leading "conspiracy theorist" according to Wikipedia, I feel eminently qualified to offer an alternative conspiracy theory which, like the alternative conspiracy theory of 9/11, is both simpler and more accurate than the prevailing wisdom: The only conspiracy that matters is the conspiracy of the psychopaths against the rest of us. |
| John Lennon supposedly said: |
|
Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. |
| from the same Kevin Barrett article, but no further source given. |
[edit] Links
[edit] Reference
- Wikipedia
-
Conservapedia(no article as of 2008-01-15) - dKosopedia (Corporate psychopaths): stub article making a point about corporate personhood
- SourceWatch (psychopath)
[edit] Essays
- 2008-01-20 The Unburdened Mind by Christopher S. Putnam: intro to psychopathy
- 2008-01-08 Comments on psychopaths in the software industry by Rickard Öberg
[edit] Books
- In Sheep's Clothing by George K. Simon
- Political Ponerology by Andrew M. Lobaczewski deals with ponerology (the study of evil) in politics, in which psychopathy plays a large but not exclusive role.
- The Psychopath: The Mask of Sanity by Hervey Cleckley: PDF of entire book
