What is sociopathy? So often, members here challenge each other as to weather or not they are sociopaths. For example, a common one is that it's implied one isn't a sociopath if they respond with an emotional outburst. This might lend evidence toward the idea that they think sociopathy is a suppression of emotions.
So here is the wikipedia definition of emotion:
In psychology and philosophy, emotion is a subjective, conscious experience characterized primarily by psychophysiological expressions, biological reactions, and mental states. Emotion is often associated and considered reciprocally influential with mood, temperament, personality, disposition, and motivation.[1] It also is influenced by hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, oxytocin, cortisol and GABA. Emotion is often the driving force behind motivation, positive or negative.[2] An alternative definition of emotion is a "positive or negative experience that is associated with a particular pattern of physiological activity."
So, from this, could it be said that a sociopath lacks emotion? I think it's unlikely.
So here is the wikipedia definition of psychopathy:
Psychopathy (or sociopathy) is traditionally defined as a personality disorder characterized by enduring antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and disinhibited or bold behavior.
Antisocial behavior is pretty easy to define I think. Perhaps it's a lack of awareness of consequences that might happen upon others as a result of the individual's actions. I don't find low functioning sociopaths to be very interesting though, and I believe high functioning sociopaths are smart enough to understand the consequences of their actions, and so, though they might be considered anti-social, it's not that they lack social skill, but rather that they lack the will to be social for some reason or another.
Empathy is more of a grey area. When one considers the concept of Humanity, they might feel empathic, even a sense of responsibility toward humanity. On the other hand, when one looks at the individual human, a sociopathic perspective could be to see the human as less important. But then again, I think the abnormal humans would be those who allow themselves to be disturbed by the death of another human being. After all, we are no less animal, and no less familiar with death, and killing than all the other predators on this planet. So the idea that all of Humanity naturally feels a significant amount of empathy toward outsider humans.. I think it's a cultural farce. Perhaps a result of religion.
Remorse is interesting in that I think the sort of person who feels remorse would be someone who isn't very future oriented. The past is beyond our control, and sentiment really has no practical value in our lives. To allow ourselves to take the time to even consider the idea of feeling remorse for a decision you obviously made.. I can see how one might feel the need to learn from past mistakes though.
Same with the disinhibited or "bold" behavior. We Humans don't know what is bold or not. We test the boundaries, or we learn from the examples from others around us. The idea that the sociopath simply is less sensitive to culture, and more willing to be "bold" or "disinhibited", it sound to me, like an idiot, and not really a key aspect of ASPD, but more an aspect of stupid Humans.
I think sociopathy is a way of seeing the world. A realistic, cold view point. I think the high functioning individuals who are machines making the best decision every time are committed to their goals, and as a result of taking on a more realistic perspective on Human culture, they are able to understand it, and shape themselves in such a way as to be exactly what is necessary to accomplish their objectives. Humans are adaptable, and I think the sociopath is the top adapter. There is no absolute personality that the individual feels obligated to. Only becoming what is necessary to achieve what is desired.
