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Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

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Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby spacey » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:02 am

People say they are, but if you take a person, take away all feelings of guilt, ability to learn from experience, empathy, and give them a strong desire for stimulation, of course they're going to do some messed up things.
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby TTBcole » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:13 am

People who have ASPD know right from wrong, so essential they are responsible because they consciously decided to commit a crime they knew is wrong.
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby spacey » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:27 am

Yes, intellectually they know it's wrong, but they don't have the feelings of guilt, empathy and remorse that would stop them from carrying out such actions. So surely they are less responsible for doing bad things than when someone who does have those feelings does bad things?
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby TTBcole » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:31 am

spacey wrote:Yes, intellectually they know it's wrong, but they don't have the feelings of guilt, empathy and remorse that would stop them from carrying out such actions. So surely they are less responsible for doing bad things than when someone who does have those feelings does bad things?



They know its wrong, but since they have no guilt or remorse they are not responsible?

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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby spacey » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:34 am

It's not their choice they don't have guilt though, it's not their fault. The point I'm trying to get at is that without feelings of guilt, of course people are going to do bad things.
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby TTBcole » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:51 am

spacey wrote:It's not their choice they don't have guilt though, it's not their fault. The point I'm trying to get at is that without feelings of guilt, of course people are going to do bad things.


Commentary: Personality Disorders and Criminal Law
Ralph Slovenko, JD, PhD


http://www.jaapl.org/content/37/2/182.full
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby Tempo » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:51 am

spacey wrote:It's not their choice they don't have guilt though, it's not their fault.


It's not their fault that they can't experience guilt, I agree, but to say they aren't responsible for their actions because of that is just plain stupid. If you understand what you are doing and you know it is wrong, but you do it anyway, then you are responsible. There are laws for a reason. If you break a law, knowing you have broken a law, then you have to face the consequences. Otherwise, if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

The point I'm trying to get at is that without feelings of guilt, of course people are going to do bad things.


But they are still in control of their actions. That's what you don't seem to understand.
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby spacey » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:10 am

Fair enough, I agree with you on that point.

But then factor in the compulsions, and how some psychopaths are hounded by temptation which is hard to resist.
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby Tempo » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:21 am

spacey wrote:But then factor in the compulsions, and how some psychopaths are hounded by temptation which is hard to resist.


Hard? Maybe, but possible. I've been having urges to commit murder since I was 13. I'm 32 now and I still haven't killed anyone, as far as you know.
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Re: Is a psychopath really responsible for their actions?

Postby crystal_richardson_ » Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:11 am

what does it mean to be responsible?

all answers are contingent on definitions.
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