The Benefits Of Sociopathy

Sometimes, the most valuable truths about a matter are the most controversial ones.  Such is the case whenever it comes to conscience and moral knowledge.  That conscience tells one nothing about any objective moral truths is a topic I have addressed thoroughly, as it can only tell one about one's own moral feelings.  A rather important fact follows from this: it is objectively better to have no conscience whatsoever and do the right thing because of nothing but a rational commitment to the truth than it is to have a strong sense of morality that is misguided.

In fact, rather than serving as an aid to moral development, conscience is a largely useless tool that is beneficial only when one uses it to motivate behaviors or attitudes that are actually good, with rightness or wrongness being things conscience can never establish.  Sociopathy, which is nothing but an acquired lack of conscience (with psychopathy being a lack of conscience present from birth), can even be immensely helpful--a sociopath is not distracted by socially ingrained norms or moral feelings, neither of which have anything to do with moral knowledge.  A sociopath generally does not care if he or she offends others who cling to falsities, violates societal expectations, or has to confront people about their stupidity.  All of these things are extremely positive.

Thus, sociopathy facilitates the rejection of fallacious moral claims from a personal standpoint.  A conscience-driven person might intellectually recognize the fallacies in a moral system or a moral epistemology, but their conscience might make it very difficult for them to adjust to living in accordance with their knowledge.  Innate or conditioned moral impulses can interfere with the process of living out a moral truth, as pangs of conscience, for whatever reason, might contradict actual moral obligations.

Is there anything immoral about being a sociopath?  There is nothing sinful about having sociopathy, just as there is nothing sinful about being color blind or asexual.  Sociopathy not only does not damage one's intellect or guarantee cruel behavior [1] (though many assume it does), but it can also allow one to focus on ethics without the subjective distraction of conscience.  This is something to celebrate, not something to fear, punish, or condemn.

If a person happens to acquire sociopathy while revolting against the common myth that the subjective whims of conscience can in any way bring about moral knowledge, this should be accepted as a beneficial, amoral thing.  It would be logically and even morally erroneous for others to think that the person will inevitably suffer malevolent urges (even if they did, humans are rational creatures with free will, not helpless slaves to their mental impulses).  Instead, their sociopathy needs to be properly identified as a potential blessing, a thing that can simplify the abandonment of fallacious moral ideas.


[1].  https://thechristianrationalist.blogspot.com/2018/03/sociopathy-does-not-necessitate-cruelty.html