Original post by LyssandrahYes, a derangement or abnormality of function that makes life difficult for the individual. Difficulty brings some degree of misfortune and something unpleasant for the individual and thus, the sufferer rightly responds negatively. Sociopathy just doesn't add up with the classic definition of a disorder. The fact that the classic definitions of disorders, diseases and other types of suffering typically evoke a negative response on behalf of the sufferer makes those with sociopathy stand out. They do not suffer from their disorder, which is quite rightly a cause for suspicion in some people. Whether it's a defect in emotional, physiologic, neurological or psychological function, the human anatomy sends an unpleasant response, whether it be through physical or emotional pain or in the form of suffering. Our nervous system, which is interconnected with our brain, acts as our sensory radar--something that is able to weed out any semblance of abnormality or derangement in function anywhere in the body and that includes mental disorders. This typically comes in the form of pain or suffering in some form and evokes a negative emotional response from the sufferer.
With the sociopath, the sufferer picks up on an abnormality--an absence of emotion, but this does not cause disturbance of soul. No negative emotional reaction. Why is that?
Let's take a look at the definition of conscience again. Conscience is defined as our moral compass--our guide to what is considered right behavior and what is wrong behavior. It's essentially our emotional guide that evokes in us a desire to make the right decision over the wrong decision. Though every choice we are faced with in life, our conscience helps us to make the right one every time. When we make the wrong choice, our conscience condemns us in the form of that nagging, painful, penetrating feeling called guilt.
Take away conscience, and you are left with an amoral individual with no moral scruples; no sense of guilt, no boundaries and no feeling of obligation to any rules. In other words, a sociopath is like a rabid animal unleashed; a barbarian; a brute; feral. All of these nouns and adjectives describe an individual who is simply uncivilized--these definitions do not classify a person that is necessarily disordered. Disordered in the sense that, their behavior is out of line with what society deems acceptable, yes, but not in psychological function.
The sociopath does not experience a difficult life like say, someone with Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia. Everything the sociopath experiences is a result of his/her own choices--not by the arbitrary machinations of mother nature itself like it does for those with BPD, BD and Schizophrenia. In fact, the sociopath experiences quite an easy life as this individual cruises through life taking advantage of others whenever, however they please with no twinge of guilt or remorse whatsoever. All of the qualities that define sociopathy are more in line with someone simply devoid of moral character--not necessarily someone with an absence or impairment of any real physiologic, emotional or even psychological function.
Their deficit or abnormality is their lack of conscience, lack of empathy and all positive human emotions--all which are more in line with someone of merely unpleasant/indecent character. It does not necessarily make life difficult for them or cause any long-term negative consequences for them such as stress, depression, thoughts of suicide, feelings of worthlessness or even death in the case of physiologic conditions. The long-term negative consequences that lie in wait for a sociopath are no different than any other person who deliberately violates the law or commits an immoral or unethical act--moral and/or legal consequences. The sociopaths' behavior will not cause them stress. Their behavior will not cause them death in and of itself. They do not experience depression or anxiety. Their behavior will not be of any inconvenience or discomfort for them in any way at all. The consequences are very similar to that of any other lawbreaker or sinner--punishment--that comes for an individual who violates or transgresses boundaries that have been clearly established.
In fact, every action they take seem to be in their favor at the expense of others. That is not the definition of a disorder. A lack of conscience in that regard isn't a real deficit because as I said before, the person is therefore free of any internal restraints to do whatever they please and indulge as often as they please. Categorizing sociopathy as a medical condition is therefore saying the person essentially suffers from simply doing as they please. In such, the concept of Psychopathy, Sociopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder is more closely related to our notion of spirituality; of evil vs. good; and of reprobation. The mentality of the sociopath is very similar to those of the reprobates of Sodom and Gomorrah--unrepentant, bull-headed, mulish, self-centered, obstinate in their own way, disrespectful, vicious, heartless and sinful in every manner. Hardly a description of a person suffering from a mental condition.
So sociopathy in that regard really doesn't make sense as a psychological or mental condition, as all of the characteristics that describe a sociopath are more in line with negative moral or spiritual qualities than any real psychological or neurological dysfunctions. And as you people put so much emphasis on the idea of sociopathy being a psychological condition and not a spiritual one, it's important for me to note the technical definition of psychology, with the prefix "psycho-" actually meaning "soul" and the suffix "-logy" meaning "study of". In other words, the literal definition of psychology is "study of the soul" or science of the soul. Notions of the soul are related to terms such as spirituality, so in that regard, sociopathy is a spiritual condition. It's also important for me to note the biblical definition of a character disorder: it's a will-disorder. Interestingly enough, one website even used the term 'moral insanity'. And how the Bible defines moral insanity is perversion of thoughts, passions, desires and will--completely in line with Wikipedia's definition of the term. While sociopathy may feature characteristics that are abnormal in nature like other conditions, the other conditions feature symptoms characterized by actual physiological, psychological, neurological or emotional abnormalities, impairments and/or deficits--not necessarily perversions. Perversions are practices or behaviors simply considered abnormal and/or unacceptable in a culture. It is a departure from what is considered proper, good or right--a deliberate turning from what is right. To then conclude that an individual with sociopathy, homosexuality or even pedophilia is born that way is to then conclude that people are born perverted--which is therefore no different than saying someone is born evil. It also fights against the true meaning of free will.
What are you implying then, if this is not so? That by the random, arbitrary acts of mother nature, some people are just instilled with desires, healthy or perverted, against their own will? Mother nature just randomly picks out and chooses some people to be sociopaths--instilling in them predilections towards perversions, disorders and conditions against their own will that have such a transparent effect that it tricks the individual into thinking there is nothing wrong with them and in fact evokes in them an exaggerated sense of self-worth? That they somehow believe they are actually the more superior species to the non-personality disordered and thus do not wish to get better or be 'cured'?
To imply such is to then anthropomorphize mother nature itself--which, is nature itself--something that is supposed to be one of the very aspects that are realistic and as far away from any implication or tendency towards anything spiritual or fantasy-oriented in the realm of pragmatism. In such, the concept of sociopathy is no different from the age-old theory of evolution--that everything just came into existence without rhyme or reason and that man evolved from primates.