Psychopathy

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JaredR

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I was talking to someone about the condition known as psychopathy, which is the inability to feel empathy, and this made me very curious about how it relates to faith. Does this diminish culpability for sins? Why do you think this condition exists? Can it be “cured” by grace?
 
JaredR said:
I was talking to someone about the condition known as psychopathy, which is the inability to feel empathy, and this made me very curious about how it relates to faith. Does this diminish culpability for sins? Why do you think this condition exists? Can it be “cured” by grace?
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Psychopathy is a condition usually attributed to (“Psychopaths”)

Lets take the infamous example of Charles Manson psychopathic murderer by manipulation, intimidation, sex and violence. Does his deeds diminish the culpability of his sins?
Society does not think so and surely the Church doesn’t either.

Can he be cured by grace? In a word yes. But that would depend on his relationship with God and his contrite change of heart.

Being incapable of empathy does not remove the burden of sin.
 
It is my understanding that psychopaths know right from wrong and can fit into society if they choose to. Often psychopaths can become extremely successful in business, politics and the entertainment industry as they have the ability to manipulate people without any reserve. It is clear then that many psychopaths can control their behaviour, but are more willing to choose to hurt others if it benefits them to do so. They will also seek to conceal their crimes - another indicator that they know that their actions are wrong. Psychopathy is not the same as mental illness, and is classed as a personality disorder. These are conditions with long term, maladaptive (either to self or society) traits. In the UK, people with persoanlity disorders are held responsible for their actions because they have a choice. I would guess that the Church holds the same view - although the extent of guilt is for God to judge. The best estimates by Psychologists are that 10% of the population fit the criteria for psychopathy - very few are violent or become serial killers - thankfully! However they may be your hard, bullying boss or your selfish manipulative neighbour…

There are both neurological and developmental explanations which probably overlap. The individual may have a vulnerability to a specific of type of frontal lobe dysfunction and this, combined with adverse experiences in childhood may result in psychopathy. There is a real hunt on to track down genetic causes and it’s a question of are psychopaths born or made?

I happen to think that it is both. What we do know is that treatment does not work, the condition must be managed by the person and those around them. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help - but it is a very long road. In the UK, violent psychopaths are detained for life. or until they can convince staff that they are no longer a danger - which is not easy!

We all need Grace and I know that God works miracles. In addition, Psychology is not an exact science so our knowledge and understanding are always developing.
 
As far as Anti-Social Personality Disorder is concerned which is the newer term for Psychopathy, I don’t like the Mcdefinition of lack of empathy. More often than not they can sense what other people are feeling, they quite simply don’t care.
 
Hosh said:
As far as Anti-Social Personality Disorder is concerned which is the newer term for Psychopathy, I don’t like the Mcdefinition of lack of empathy. More often than not they can sense what other people are feeling, they quite simply don’t care.
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This is what it means to have a lack of empathy though. Intellectually they know what society expects and what’s appropriate and not. But emotionally/intuitively they don’t feel that harming other people is wrong. They don’t have that sense of compassion that normal people have. It really is a mental defect, which is why it’s impossible to cure them.
 
flyingfish said:
This is what it means to have a lack of empathy though. Intellectually they know what society expects and what’s appropriate and not. But emotionally/intuitively they don’t feel that harming other people is wrong. They don’t have that sense of compassion that normal people have. It really is a mental defect, which is why it’s impossible to cure them.
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Better put as a lack sympathy and conscientiousness. I wouldn’t say it is impossible to manage this disorder as many people have felt varying degrees of this at one or more times in there life. Its like these people need to be stoned, at least in the way most experience cannabis. In my opinion religion/spirituality is one of the oldest natural highs/psychiatric medications…oh ****! now were getting into the split between Freud and Jung…
 
Hosh said:
As far as Anti-Social Personality Disorder is concerned which is the newer term for Psychopathy, I don’t like the Mcdefinition of lack of empathy. More often than not they can sense what other people are feeling, they quite simply don’t care.
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Shrinks always have this lingo fascination of redefining a former psychological disorder by stamping a new fancy label to any person with a mental problem. About 80-85% of incarcerated criminals are diagnosed Antisocial Personality Disorder. However, only about 20% of these criminals would qualify for a diagnosis of being a Psychopath.

mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-pe04.html
 
Hello Hosh,
I never said that psychopathy can’t be managed. There is controversy over whether it can be cured.

In addition, I think that you will find that if you check the DSM, that anti-social personality disorder is listed separately. It is possible to have ASPD without being a psychopath.

I’ll come back later as I have to go now!
 
JaredR said:
I was talking to someone about the condition known as psychopathy, which is the inability to feel empathy, and this made me very curious about how it relates to faith. Does this diminish culpability for sins? Why do you think this condition exists? Can it be “cured” by grace?
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Psychopathy is considered untreatable or managable.

Only God knows how it affects culpability.

I have no clue why it exists anymore than than I know why cancer exists.

Anything can be ‘cured’ by grace.

We should all pray for those afflicted with mental diseases.
 
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