Is selfish action at the cost of others necessarily "psychopathic" or "sociopathic?"?

Question

When I research subjects like evil, psychopathy, and sociopathy, the materials all suggest one thing:

People who work to their own gain are flawed, sick, unbalanced, prone to self destruction, etc etc.

I do not find this to be a self-evident statement.

It is true that someone who is willing to benefit themselves by the loss of others is a bane to "society." Of course the generally accepted social structure would be against such a person, as their unconstrained selfish actions deminish others.

But why is it assumed that a person who is cognizant of their selfish desires and actions and unconstrained by "morality" assumed to be so defective that they will damage themselves, become reckless, lose the ability to learn from experience or calculate risk, etc?

That might be true in many cases, but it seems to me that would be more the case where people lack self control and determination.

Is it possible to be "evil" and selfish while remaining rational and self determined?

Answer 1

Selfishness is but one trait of a psychopath/sociopath. To be considered a psychopath or sociopath one must fit at least a minimum number of criteria in a list of criteria. For instance, if there are 12 criteria that define psychopathy or sociopathy, one must meet 9 of those criteria. This is not the accurate number but rather an example.

We are all selfish to a degree, and this is by nature's design. The basic instinct of humans is survival. To differing degrees we all strive to continue to survive. There are things we feel we need in order to maintain survival and these "needs" are determined by each individual. There are those who feel the simple necessities are shelter, food, clothing and simple pleasures, while some others feel the need for more to be at peace with themselves and with life.

We all practice selfishness from time to time and in some cases feel no remorse or regret. We do it on a daily basis and we do not think twice about it. Suppose you apply for a job. Several others have most likely applied for that same job, and it's probable that one of those applicants needs the job as much as you do. Yet, if you're hired, I doubt you spend one second grieving for that applicant who did not get the job. I doubt you even think of them at all, rather you celebrate your good fortune.

The issue with psychopaths and sociopaths is they feel no remorse, no regret, no consideration whatsoever for anyone or anything but themselves unless that other individual or thing can bring them benefit and they have no qualms about harming another... Not just inconveniencing them but actually harming them or denying them their rights.

Psychopaths/sociopaths do not believe laws pertain to them and when caught will become enraged that others cannot see their "specialness" and the reason they're exempt. The only remorse shown is whatever they believe is expected and will, again, bring them the best outcome--again, even at the expense of others.

Psychopaths/sociopaths gain gratification from harming others. It's not actual happiness they achieve by this, but rather what is called "secondary gain". Their happiness comes secondarily from manipulating a "pay off" from the primary reaction of the victim. In other words, they do what they do to either avenge, instill fear, adulation, etc. Fear, isn't what they are seeking however, it's the secondary gain of having control. It is most easy to control that which fears you. Adulation, again, control. One who admires and praises you or feels you are somehow above them, are easy marks for control.

Generally these people have less control, or feel they have less control than the average person so they need to manipulate their surroundings and those in them to achieve what they want and need. They often feel superior to others, yet they envy them also. This often causes the psychopath/sociopath to hate others.

Simple selfishness can be corrected and often it is. Psychopaths and sociopaths rarely are successfully treated because they believe they are completely correct, that they are always right and there's no reason for someone to want to change if they believe they're right and the world is wrong.

Pharmaceutical companies couldn't care less how many are diagnosed with psychopathy or sociopathy since these are personality disorders and are not typically treatable with medications.

All of these lesser characteristics such as Selfishness, may be part of the criteria for mental disorders. It does not mean that a selfish person is a psychopath... yet if other criteria are met, it could be the selfishness is a manifestation of the disorder. The same as one cannot say every person who has a meloncholy disposition has clinical depression, we cannot lump every selfish person into the category of psychopath.

Nowyermessin, if you think you're a psychopath/sociopath by answering a checklist, you're most likely not either one. A psychopath or sociopath will not see themselves fitting any of those criteria. They'll say... Nope, that's not me. However, if you do think you might be, it's best to use that checklist as it should be intended... to help you decide if you need to be evaluated professionally.

There is a big surge on for people to take these checklists/surveys/DSM-IV and self diagnose themselves. The problem with this is that even should a person fit every single criteria when they check the diagnostic models, there will be far more information needed to achieve or dismiss diagnosis. People may present all the criteria and yet not be considered psychopathic because of mitigating circumstances that when those circumstances lift, the behaviors also discipate. Psychopath is not a diagnosis anyone wants. Those with that diagnosis are considered to be unsalvagable and the dregs of society.

I want to say that while I have not checked the link you sited, psychopaths are indeed intuitive. That is the cornerstone of which the disorder is based. In order to control and manipulate their victims, they must be able to intuit what actions will trigger in the victim the desired response. However, compassion is not a trait a psychopath can achieve. If you find someone with compassion, you have met someone who is not a psychopath. Just be careful about hanging that kind of label on yourself.

Answer 2

Definitions:

Psychopathic: Mental disorder, especially when manifested by antisocial behavior.

Sociopathic: One who is affected with a personality disorder marked by antisocial behavior.

Selfish: Concerned chiefly or only with oneself.

Note - neither of the first definitions fully explains what would make up anti-social behavior and leaves that to the imagination of the viewer. It would have to explain to one and all what would be the meaning of evil behaviour and that is somethng psychiatry stays well away from. I don't see how the last definition would connect with the first two unless you thought that you had a mental illness to begin with.

Most people today are selfish in that they're chiefly concerned about their own ends but that doesn't make them evil. Most are trying to do good, but at the same time are doing so selfishly. This is not an anti-social action nor is it a mental disorder.

Answer 3

Excellent question.
I just very recently encountered one of those sociopath checklists - and - turns out I might be a sociopath...

Then you wonder... does every selfish act necessarily harm another...? I doubt it.

One of the prerequisites for psycho- or socio- pathic behavior seems to be a lack of remorse. No guilt and an ability to somehow always blame others for ones' actions...

Blameless and OK with it. Sociopaths know who they are and don't care to change.

So - is everyone who has ever been a jerk a sociopath? If Big Pharmaceutical had anything to say about it, yes. But rationally, of course not.

And speaking of rationality - right there you apparently have one of your prime traits of a "path"...

Cold and rational... Rational and self-determined... Evil and selfish.... Sounds like a slice of the same pie to me....

Is working to ones' own gain evil? Only when it comes at the cost of harm to others. Otherwise, it's a human acting like a human.

Guilt and remorse are the variables you are looking for in your equation.

Answer 4

No i don't... yet in basic terms as others wouldn't have a say in how I advance my youngsters, I wouldn't have a say in how others advance their youngsters. i'm against indoctrination yet i'm unable to verify a thank you to combat it without removing the freedoms of others. I mean what if somebody instructed you it strengthen into incorrect to permit your toddlers play with Ninja turtles action figures because of the fact it advocates vigilantism? So on an identical time as my own opinion is that teachings in the bible directed in direction of youthful toddlers that glorify the violence and genocide in the bible employing action figures are certainly incorrect.. i'm unable to forget that different persons could think of the comparable approximately many different action figures and the ideals they represent. as quickly as you start up there it won't supply up at that, tremendously quickly any violent action figures would be banned.. to illustrate i think of Bratz dolls prepare women to be self-widely used and shallow, yet is it my place to tell people they are in a position to't purchase them for their toddlers? No it is not. i does not desire somebody else telling me what my youngsters can play with it is appropriate, so I won't do it to different persons.

Answer 5

Your question > Is it possible to be "evil" and selfish while remaining rational and self determined?

My answer > spend some time in combat.
Rev. TomCat

Answer 6

rational self-interest is human nature. sociopaths do not necessarily fall into this category. You should read Ayn Rande. She's completely full of herself, but she had some great ideas.

Answer 7

The answer to your initial question is no.

The answer to your last question is a definite yes. My goodness, just look at the female population. Half of them are proof!