I think Anti-social personality disorders might be a problem the universe gave humans since the beginning (the symbolic snake in Genesis, a metaphorical “carrier”?); and they were carried on to today - some sort of evolutionary glitch. Maybe it was necessary for dinosaurs to have such traits - harshness and cruelty in hostile conditions. Or maybe they were God’s trial run. Modern mammals share DNA with them still.
I understand that there are both genetic and social-environmental components involved in whether or not a person develops a full blown dark personality disorder. Some people carry the gene, but because of positive influences around them during early development, maybe they don’t develop a full blown disorder. Others might not have a disorder either, but pick up maladaptive traits from their learned environments. The former group doesn’t seem to be able to self correct their behaviour. The latter can. It needs to be looked at as a spectrum of mental illness with hope of treatment rather than a something inevitable, though - as in, a search for treatments and cures should be a major priority.
Before putting people in positions of power, and for determining whose intentions are actually good, maybe there needs to be a way to screen for that. A humane process, that doesn’t diminish the humanity of the disordered person, but also makes sure others are safe from their influence unless and until there’s adequate treatment. And looking to the future, it should be seen as an illness that requires intensive research into treatment and cure.
The world would be a better place for everybody.
I understand that there are both genetic and social-environmental components involved in whether or not a person develops a full blown dark personality disorder. Some people carry the gene, but because of positive influences around them during early development, maybe they don’t develop a full blown disorder. Others might not have a disorder either, but pick up maladaptive traits from their learned environments. The former group doesn’t seem to be able to self correct their behaviour. The latter can. It needs to be looked at as a spectrum of mental illness with hope of treatment rather than a something inevitable, though - as in, a search for treatments and cures should be a major priority.
Before putting people in positions of power, and for determining whose intentions are actually good, maybe there needs to be a way to screen for that. A humane process, that doesn’t diminish the humanity of the disordered person, but also makes sure others are safe from their influence unless and until there’s adequate treatment. And looking to the future, it should be seen as an illness that requires intensive research into treatment and cure.
The world would be a better place for everybody.
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