Would you like to know what I learned from Dr. Kevin Dutton's book The Wisdom of Psychopaths ?
I think We all are aware, that psychopaths are famous for their enhanced killer instincts, but it is actually surprising to see that there are some situations in which they are more adept of saving lives than they are at taking lives.
let me quote an example: the famous train/trolley test.
Case 1 :
So imagine you are on this train with 4 other strange companions, which has lost control and its speed cannot be maintained, in the very long track there are five people who are trapped and they cannot escape.
Case 2 :
Fortunately there is a switch which diverts the train onto an another track on which there is another person who is tied to the track, if you flick the switch and divert the route, there are high chances that you are saved along with the other 4 members in the train killing, only one person in this case rather than 5 in the above case.
The Question is
Will you flick the switch?
saving five people on the verge of killing one person is actually a viable option I guess, you would say
but wait there is a twist .........
what if, there is this person with you on the train, the fat guy, who could probably stop the train, due to his fat girth,
and bulky mass, and you are assured that the train would stop for sure.
So should you push the stranger over the rails?
If we were to analyze the two cases, the save is to kill ratio is 5:1, so should you be killing the fat guy or flick the switch to divert the train.
unlike This persons who would flick a switch and save five lives, psychopaths here would face a dilemma whether they should chuck the fat guy or flick the switch,
but psychopaths here would actually not face any dilemma, and rather it is the other way around -
why do you think psychopaths have this problem in thinking?
some neuroanatomy involved here, but I would like to keep it simple, you see in the fat guy's case and case 2, there are different emotion involved
case study :
In the first case, psychologists refer to cold empathy, the case in which you are likely to flick the switch, you show no empathy for the one person who is forked to track compared to those who are with you on the train.
Because you already made connections with the stranger on the train and you assume them as your companions and just to prove your social responsibility, you seek to choose a solution that comes more naturally in you looking more empathetic towards them.
But psychopaths, on the other hand, are least bothered with empathy, they are nowhere concerned with the empathy and social responsibility, an MRI scan of there head actually revealed that their emotional center does not even light up by a fraction, complete silence comrades, complete silence.
This case is answered in terms of the dilemma which can be personal and impersonal.
so the psychopaths are perfectly fine in chucking the fat guy without thinking for a split second.
This would lead me to understand about the traits and signs they would show, cmmn man, I was curious a little bit
5 common traits of psychopaths are as follows :
typical Hollywood definition of the psychopath is more appealing, so here are few traits to look for and spot a psychopath, maybe it's your friend, just kidding : - )
1.lack of empathy - they understand your feelings but they do not feel them, even if you are crying your heart out, they would show compassion only to please you.
2.Manipulatives - psychopath are known to be deceptive, they often cheat people into believing something or behaving in a particular way. they are always thoughtful of their personal gains and don't care for others
3.Irresponsibility - Impulsive behavior accompanied by the quest to never accept their mistakes are what they are fond of.
4.Narcissism - psychopaths usually view themselves as smarter, more powerful and of more worth than everyone else.they always are in this bubble thinking that world revolves around them.
5.Pathological lying: psychopaths tend to always take cover with lying and trust me they are exceptional in making stories.
6.Superficial charm - they hold a unique charismatic character, they are not afraid to do, say anything they like, in fact, it is due to this confidence that they attract so many companions around them.
While I was researching to write this article, I came to a conclusion that people with at least some psychopathic traits made great leaders of the world.
so are all psychopaths bad and do they make good leaders?
This is strongly my personal opinion, and should not be viewed in negative light, but according to my belief possessing few psychopathic traits actually, gives you edge over other people in few life challenges (no pun intended)
leadership requires some psychopathic traits
one can argue that how can someone who is so irrational, remorseless actually lead others but. .. . .
one of the significant quality a good leader should have is to connect with people emotionally unless you have a high degree of emotional intelligence you can not connect with people.
As Kevin Dutton mentions in his book , psychopaths on the less extreme of spectrum actually can possess empathy, it is argued that they have the ability to turn on the much-hyped empathy switch when needed.
That is the difference between a "good and a bad psychopath" quotes Dutton in his book.
let me know what you think Comrades :-)
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This is fascinating.
I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I have not always viewed psychopaths in a negative light.
And now, reading that it may be possible for some psychopaths, those whom are less extreme, to actually turn on empathy, I have a feeling that I may actually know a few.
Crazy! Very informative Thank you @theversatileguy
Thanks for your kind words , I am happy that my post got you to think.