Psychopaths

You know, it's difficult to comprehend psychopaths. They are wired so completely counter to normal, socialized people that the normal people rationalize and minimize for their own psychological comfort.

Over at Shrinkwrapped, the good doctor discusses sociopathology in regards to Islam. I personally feel that there are some characteristics inherent in Islam that make psychopathology more likely. Shrink touches on this:

Psychopaths are not, in fact, particularly good liars; they spin tales and get away with it because their listeners fail to confront them on the inconsistencies. So, why bring Psychopaths into the mix when discussing the danger from radical Islam? Unfortunately, those who follow the dictates of their Koran (whether it is simply one of many interpretations or the only interpretation, as insisted upon by the Islamists, is immaterial) are explicitly permitted to lie, threaten, cheat, do whatever it takes to dominate the infidel. Whether or not the typical Muslim is a psychopath is not the issue; the issue is that Islam, as practiced in the public sphere, behaves like a Psychopath. Note that it is often the apostate Muslim, most at risk from the reactions of their former co-religionists, who most acutely points out the failures (and questions the existence) of Moderate Islam and Moderate Muslims.

In every era, there people have denied the evidence in front of them, whether it was Stalin or Hitler or Pol Pot or whomever. No one wants to acknowledge such evil because it demands action or reveals the co-dependent person to be weak and stupid.

A large segment of our population simply denies evil exists despite all the evidence to the contrary. It's easier. Shrink talks about this phenomenon and it's a worthwhile read.

He links to a website dedicated, of all things, to sociopaths, or rather the people harmed by them. The tales are disturbing and instructive. One thing that is very evident: psychopaths create havoc, confusion, doubt and chaos wherever they go. Energetically, they disturb the force, to invoke Star Wars speak. Nothing is ever settled. Nothing feels solid.

As our recent church and mall killers reinforce once again, there is no innocent to a psychopath. People exist to meet their needs and a psychopath has no problem using them for their own ends. They are liars from the beginning--first to themselves, second to anyone else who might interfere with their aims.

We must avoid denial and face the fact that these people exist. They are able to do great harmed mostly when they steamroll unchecked. Direct confrontation is the only option, as reasoning does not work with these most unreasonable of people. We need to keep that in mind when a lying, pathological regime like Iran claims to have quit pursuing nuclear material. It is ridiculous on it's face.

Psychopaths don't go away before their desires are fulfilled. We need to remember that.