I’m just putting this comment here because it’s the newest one, but it’s really got nothing to do with this particular post.
I just wanted to thank you for writing these posts with such depth, care, and insight! I’ve been reading through everything you have for the past hour, and I can’t get enough. I started looking into psychopathy and ASPD thanks to a small writing thing, but most of what I was able to find were neurotypicals talking about the experiences and thought processes of psychopaths, which didn’t sit right with me. I mean, we wouldn’t (or shouldn’t, at least) listen to a white person talk about the experiences of people of color, or listen to a person who’s never been depressed talk about what it’s like being depressed. And thankfully, I found your blog. It’s been eye-opening and gotten me to wonder about things I’ve never really had to think about before, especially regarding empathy and morals. But that’s the beauty of listening to people so different from you. You see things in a new light, and learn new things. So seriously, thank you.
On a side note, I’d love to hear your thoughts on morals and right vs wrong, if that’s something you’re interested in talking about — unless that’s the subject of one of the few posts I still haven’t read, in which case I’ll get to it sometime later today. Since in most people, morals and our sense of right and wrong dictate how we act… I guess I’m just wondering if psychopaths have a moral compass they believe in, and how it/the lack of it affects them and their decisions and actions. I’ve always had strong morals myself, but ones I try to base off logical reasoning as much as possible — I want to be able to understand all sides of the argument and to back mine up with logic, because as long as everyone is different, emotions should never rule the world. Science, facts, and logic take no sides. Yet, the more I think about it, the more I realize how deeply emotional our morals, ethics, and human rights are, and from there, the societal rules we follow. So how does it work for someone that doesn’t feel, or feels very little, emotions such as empathy and fear? Is there a deeper sense/belief of right and wrong, or is it more like ”this is what people expect of me and this is what I’ll get in trouble for”? Why follow the moral and societal rules if we don’t believe in or care about said rules? Or is caring really not that important because logical thinking exists?
And I hope it’s clear, but unless it isn’t, I’m simply curious — no judging from my part.
I'm almost certain that some of the motivation for wanting to declare children to be psychopathic is the potential to prescribe various psychoactive chemicals
Well written. I'm wondering if identifying psycopathy early in life may have some advantage in raising a child. Like the whole reward system verses punishment, and perhaps give parents better tools. Your parents had them naturally but a lot of people just aren't that bright, and some, well many parents have no clue how to raise a child, let alone a psychopathic one. People sometimes need this extra help.
For instance we know more about autism and how to better help these kids. Wouldn't the same apply to children with psychopathy, provided of course we get past the stigmatism?
I’m just putting this comment here because it’s the newest one, but it’s really got nothing to do with this particular post.
I just wanted to thank you for writing these posts with such depth, care, and insight! I’ve been reading through everything you have for the past hour, and I can’t get enough. I started looking into psychopathy and ASPD thanks to a small writing thing, but most of what I was able to find were neurotypicals talking about the experiences and thought processes of psychopaths, which didn’t sit right with me. I mean, we wouldn’t (or shouldn’t, at least) listen to a white person talk about the experiences of people of color, or listen to a person who’s never been depressed talk about what it’s like being depressed. And thankfully, I found your blog. It’s been eye-opening and gotten me to wonder about things I’ve never really had to think about before, especially regarding empathy and morals. But that’s the beauty of listening to people so different from you. You see things in a new light, and learn new things. So seriously, thank you.
On a side note, I’d love to hear your thoughts on morals and right vs wrong, if that’s something you’re interested in talking about — unless that’s the subject of one of the few posts I still haven’t read, in which case I’ll get to it sometime later today. Since in most people, morals and our sense of right and wrong dictate how we act… I guess I’m just wondering if psychopaths have a moral compass they believe in, and how it/the lack of it affects them and their decisions and actions. I’ve always had strong morals myself, but ones I try to base off logical reasoning as much as possible — I want to be able to understand all sides of the argument and to back mine up with logic, because as long as everyone is different, emotions should never rule the world. Science, facts, and logic take no sides. Yet, the more I think about it, the more I realize how deeply emotional our morals, ethics, and human rights are, and from there, the societal rules we follow. So how does it work for someone that doesn’t feel, or feels very little, emotions such as empathy and fear? Is there a deeper sense/belief of right and wrong, or is it more like ”this is what people expect of me and this is what I’ll get in trouble for”? Why follow the moral and societal rules if we don’t believe in or care about said rules? Or is caring really not that important because logical thinking exists?
And I hope it’s clear, but unless it isn’t, I’m simply curious — no judging from my part.
Fiia
"Whatever kindness that they develop will be unique to them, and in the beginning, a stark contrast to who they are in their first months of life."
Well thought, wonderfully said.
“I can’t imagine what the psychopaths of this generation are going to be like.”
Oh me neither...can’t wait...can’t wait
I'm almost certain that some of the motivation for wanting to declare children to be psychopathic is the potential to prescribe various psychoactive chemicals
This delayed fear thing is something I would never have imagined, so thanks for the story.
Well written. I'm wondering if identifying psycopathy early in life may have some advantage in raising a child. Like the whole reward system verses punishment, and perhaps give parents better tools. Your parents had them naturally but a lot of people just aren't that bright, and some, well many parents have no clue how to raise a child, let alone a psychopathic one. People sometimes need this extra help.
For instance we know more about autism and how to better help these kids. Wouldn't the same apply to children with psychopathy, provided of course we get past the stigmatism?
Perhaps rename it in children.
What are your thoughts?