Here's something I've been thinking about lately:
Does society need psychopaths? Do they exist for a Social or Natural Evolutionary purpose?
Here's something I've been thinking about lately:
Does society need psychopaths? Do they exist for a Social or Natural Evolutionary purpose?
@RickiTarr I think from a psychological lens, the way we talk about what is termed "psychopathy" is based on a lot of junk science and popular misunderstandings of personality disorders.
But even deeper than that, when we speak about psychopathy we're talking about multiple things like social behavior, cognition, personal values, empathy and social norms all kind of muddled up together. So, some operationalizing is needed.
I think it's also difficult to tease out because we live in a world that mass manufactures violence and incredible amounts of harm. We also have a massive multinational disinformation and propaganda infrastructure that has been designed to justify said harm. Mass manipulation and miseducation allows for unfathomable cruelty to be reproduced on a worldwide scale without folks batting an eye, so for me this idea of behavior that lacks empathy being a unique thing is nonsensical.
In terms of purpose, yes, there is a purpose. It allows for an intensely unequal consolidation of power and makes a few people filthy stinking rich.
@RickiTarr I think the people you would consider "psychopaths" are here for a reason. Not because society needs them, but because the backwards antisocial society we're in produces them. Right now, not caring about other people has evolutionary advantages because it's the easiest way to survive under capitalism. Those without this trait force themselves to acquire it in order to survive.
On an individual level, yes, I think current evolution dictates "psychopathy"
@RickiTarr I don't think being born lacking empathy is an accurate description of any psychological diagnosis, and is based on misunderstandings of personality disorders. I think it's also important when talking about these things to be careful of not reinforcing ableist stereotypes about people with Antisocial Personality Disorder. I would suggest anyone with questions on that topic to look it up (while also doing a critical reading of the research through a disability justice lens, as the field of psychology can be very ableist as well). I'm far from an expert in either of those areas, though, so I'll leave it at that.
I think people are raised to believe that empathy is weakness all the time, and it's part of social conditioning that must be overcome.
@tillshadeisgone These are all really interesting points! What is the difference between someone who seems to have been born lacking empathy, and someone who was raised to believe that showing empathy is weakness?
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