Reply #20: Hare's "Without Conscience" [View All]

[depakid]

The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us was a very chilling book and really opened my eyes to the extent of the problem. I would guess that most of us have met or know a sociopath- what Hare calls a sub-clinical psychopath (I prefer using the term "sociopath" to describe most people who present these sort of symptoms and history, because the language is less loaded- most people with the disorder won't go on to become overtly violent criminals, which is what the term psychopath implies).

It became apparent to me early on that Bush exhibits many of the classic features of sociopathy and narcissistic personality disorder. This is more than simply a hunch or feeling, it's also based on objective review of facts and descriptions in the literature (which, as you say, is scarce when it comes to functional and especially successful sociopaths). Then again, the same was true with respect to mood disorders until about 10-15 years ago.

Moreover, I think more a few of today's Republicans are susceptible to this analysis. Think about it and go down the list. It's scary, but it's also illuminating- it's important to know who and what you're dealing with, even if you're like me and can't fathom for a second what it must be like to think and feel that way.