Difference between revisions of "Psychopathy"

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==Overview==
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[[page type::article]]
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[[thing type::psychological condition]]
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==About==
 
[[Psychopathy]] is a [[psychological condition]] apparently caused by total disinterest in the welfare of others, i.e. lack of any [[empathy|empathetic sense]]. The major symptom is a consistent tendency towards a[[moral]] and antisocial behavior.
 
[[Psychopathy]] is a [[psychological condition]] apparently caused by total disinterest in the welfare of others, i.e. lack of any [[empathy|empathetic sense]]. The major symptom is a consistent tendency towards a[[moral]] and antisocial behavior.
  
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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 negotiation|carrot-and-stick]] [[power struggle]], and all criticisms are strictly [[ad hominem|personal]].
 
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 negotiation|carrot-and-stick]] [[power struggle]], and all criticisms are strictly [[ad hominem|personal]].
 
===argumentative strategies===
 
===argumentative strategies===
Psychopaths tend to use the following [[rhetorical deception]]s:
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Psychopaths may use the following [[rhetorical deception]]s in order to manipulate others:
 
* '''diversion''', a.k.a. [[shifting the topic]]
 
* '''diversion''', a.k.a. [[shifting the topic]]
 
* '''lying'''
 
* '''lying'''
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===quotes===
 
===quotes===
 
{{excerpt|Dr. [[Kevin Barrett]] [http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2008/01/02/02073.html said]:}}
 
{{excerpt|Dr. [[Kevin Barrett]] [http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2008/01/02/02073.html said]:}}
So-called [[conspiracy theories|conspiracy theorists]], some of whom deserve the pejorative connotation of that much-abused term, often imagine that secret societies of Jews, Jesuits, bankers, communists, [[Bilderberg Group|Bilderberg]]ers, [[Islamofascism|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 [[9/11 anomalies|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.''
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So-called [[conspiracy theories|conspiracy theorists]], some of whom deserve the pejorative connotation of that much-abused term, often imagine that secret societies of Jews, Jesuits, bankers, communists, [[Bilderberg Group|Bilderberg]]ers, [[Islamofascism|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 [[9/11 anomalies|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.''
 
{{-excerpt}}
 
{{-excerpt}}
 
{{excerpt|[[John Lennon]] supposedly said:}}
 
{{excerpt|[[John Lennon]] supposedly said:}}
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===Reference===
 
===Reference===
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
* {{wikipedia}}
* <s>{{conservapedia}}</s> (no article as of 2008-01-15) [[category:!conservapedia]]
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* {{!in|conservapedia}}: no article as of 2014-03-22
 
* {{dkosopedia|Corporate psychopaths}} (Corporate psychopaths): stub article making a point about [[corporate personhood]]
 
* {{dkosopedia|Corporate psychopaths}} (Corporate psychopaths): stub article making a point about [[corporate personhood]]
 
* {{sourcewatch|Psychopath}} (psychopath)
 
* {{sourcewatch|Psychopath}} (psychopath)
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* '''2008-01-20''' [http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=936 The Unburdened Mind] by Christopher S. Putnam: intro to psychopathy
 
* '''2008-01-20''' [http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=936 The Unburdened Mind] by Christopher S. Putnam: intro to psychopathy
 
* '''2008-01-08''' [http://www.jroller.com/rickard/entry/comments_on_psychopaths_in_the Comments on psychopaths in the software industry] by Rickard &Ouml;berg
 
* '''2008-01-08''' [http://www.jroller.com/rickard/entry/comments_on_psychopaths_in_the Comments on psychopaths in the software industry] by Rickard &Ouml;berg
 
 
===Books===
 
===Books===
 
* ''[http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopaths_in_sheeps_clothing.htm In Sheep's Clothing]'' by George K. Simon
 
* ''[http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopaths_in_sheeps_clothing.htm In Sheep's Clothing]'' by George K. Simon
 
* ''[http://www.ponerology.com/ 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.
 
* ''[http://www.ponerology.com/ 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.
 
* ''[http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopath.htm The Psychopath: The Mask of Sanity]'' by Hervey Cleckley: [http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/sanity_1.PdF PDF] of entire book
 
* ''[http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopath.htm The Psychopath: The Mask of Sanity]'' by Hervey Cleckley: [http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/sanity_1.PdF PDF] of entire book
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{{links/smw}}

Latest revision as of 17:13, 22 March 2014

About

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).

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.

argumentative strategies

Psychopaths may use the following rhetorical deceptions in order to manipulate others:

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.

Links

Reference

Essays

Books

Related