Pages

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Famous sociopaths: Gandhi?

From a reader:

Two sociopaths I know both insist that Gandhi was a sociopath; their evidence was Gandhi's hunger strike.  I found their reactions fascinating, because both are sociopaths of course, neither one know each other, but both were equally as skeptical and offended by Gandhi's motivations for the hunger strike.  Both thought that anyone who thinks Gandhi did ANYTHING for any reason other than fame and power is a sucker, and that Gandhi over did it because the hunger strike led to a massacre of some of his Hindu followers. 

What do you think?  Do you think that some of the world's greatest humanitarians, such as Gandhi, or Martin Luther King, had sociopathic  tendencies?

I wish I could convey better just how striking a similarity in responses these two people had. 

35 comments:

  1. Everybody has some sociopathic tendencies, sometimes they're subconscious. Perhaps some of these humanitarians think catalyzing some disaster would help them highlight their cause, which is a cold strategic shortcut to obtain attention and sympathy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. In no way, shape or forum was Gandhi a sociopath. His non violent policies
    forced him to suffer indignities no sociopath would have the patienece to suffer.
    Also, Gandhi gave up on sex at a young age, because he felt guilt that he somehow
    caused a parent's death that occurred while he was engaging in sex.
    He even slept side by side with girls to test his resolve. A sociopath can no more go with out sex the oxegan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually some of us can go just fine without sex. Just saying

      Delete
    2. Ugh. Speak for yourself! I can't.

      Delete
    3. Well, interesting replies...

      I realize that when people think about sociopathic behavior, they think sex is high on their mind. After all, in popular culture, we associate promiscuity with a sign of sociopathy.

      However, to me, it has always made sense that a sociopath would look at sex as a control mechanism. And that if a sociopath has enough influence and control besides having sex with one person, the sex becomes more of a chore.

      Just saying.

      Delete
  3. I think it's more likely that they had autistic/aspie tendencies.

    Aspies can sometimes be too stubborn to notice when their actions can negatively affect others. I imagine that he didn't imagine many people actually dying from the hungers strike, and his idealism pushed him in that direction.

    ReplyDelete
  4. do female sociopaths pms?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. It makes us even more aggressive than usual. Now fuck off with your stupid questions.

      See? :P

      Delete
    2. it's ok, I still love you :)

      Delete
  5. We are approaching artificial intelligence. The Turing Test, once considered the "gold standard" for evaluating if an AI is equivalent to a human being, is no longer much accepted as such. http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/11/5800440/ray-kurzweil-and-others-say-turing-test-not-passed.

    In any case, while we await our computer overlords growing up, while we are still designing them, should we insist that they be sane and empathic, or should we require that AIs represent diversity? Should we design an AI android that represents every "color" in the DSM V, including psycho/socio/pathy?

    Think of it. On the one hand we might be able to come up with a GE or pharmacological method of making mental illness (or at least a few flavors) and the pathy's extinct in biological wetware womb born humans, we might create AI loonies and monsters in the name of diversity and preventing extinction!

    How would you decide? You're in control of the world. At least those of you who have delusions of grandeur.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If we feel the need to make God in our own image then why wouldn't we make robots in our own image? AI will carry traits of its architects.

      Delete
  6. "Big causes with little personal gain" hardly attracts the classic slick actor-type of psycho, and the lesser known types are more into getting a "private sweet spot" in life far away from ruckus and controversy & trite people. The "good" psycho cop gets to wear a uniform and most likely daydream vividly about upholding HIS LAW and punishing those who have OFFENDED HIM by breaking it & the firefighter is seen as a "hero" by most people, even if he just gets high on danger or gets horny by seeing things burn and explode up close..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How about someone like Jim Jones though? Here is a blatant sociopath who led nearly 1,000 people to their death. That being said he started out as an average Christian preacher with a radical message of racial tolerance and acceptance. If he had died before he took his followers to California he might have gone done in history as a hero of the civil rights movement. He still would have been a sociopath, but his mask would have stayed tightly fitted.

      That's why I believe it's VERY possible that Ghandi and several other activists could have been sociopaths.

      Delete
    2. The "classic psycho" in general can lead any type of organization under any title if this is to his advantage (power or money), but he will not go down with sinking ships: if he does, find other psychological explanations than sociopathy.

      Delete
  7. hey all!
    I know it's weird, but to me, the main boov in the animation Home, is a sociopath.
    that's all. and it's the only comment I write here. :)
    and, I read somewhere, that all children have sociopathic behavior, so a sociopath is some one who has undirectly (!) chosen not to grow up in that way, so it's in some ways, a choice. you probably know this, so, I'm just saying:)
    Best to you all!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  8. Children don´t "censor" themselves, just do/say things they feel like. This is their sociopathy. Then the "inner censor" gets installed by mom & dad & school and the empath is manufactered. Its more an issue about "mental brakes" than maturity. Sophisticated psychopaths are often "jaded", not easily interested in anything, "childish" or "impressionable" are hardly the correct labels..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Radical Agnostic:
    Did you see the film "Artificial Intelligence" (2001) ?
    A robot boy wants to become human so his mother will love him.
    At the end of the film, he uses a "fairy" to grant his wish.
    His mother returns to him and "loves" him just as he wishes. She lavishes love
    on him, and he tucks her into bed, then he gets in bed along side her.
    Some people thought it was subliminal incest. So what? If there is a 15-16 year
    age difference between parent and child, why can't they be "married" as long as
    no one is compelled by force?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I recently read (one third) of your book, Jamie. It's kind of funny in a bizarre way, but ultimately self righteous and bland. Anyway, you can't match colors while being colorblind.

    ReplyDelete
  11. WE have seen the posts/subjects before that compare Buddhist and Hindu enlightened to sociopaths. The reason is perfect enlightenment is grounded in the idea of complete non-attachment. The perfectly enlightened should not experience emotions, have no attachments to objects, people or nations. Gandhi achieved this most admirably. That these aspects also define most sociopaths make the comparison understandable. The differences between these people (enlightened) and a sociopath are the "enlightened" have mastered their inner desires and do what they do not out of selfishness but perfect compassion for all life.

    Yes his actions caused the deaths of some people. Hindus believe in reincarnation remember? For a Hindu he gave those people a nice dose of good karma since their deaths were in sacrifice for a greater good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, as a very emotional and empathetic person my path of enlightenment has been to learn to detach easily when necessary, follow the way of Buddha, thanks to a sociopath I have found happiness. I'm now immune to anti-social behaviors, they don't get to me, it did take a couple of years of inner work, worth the effort =)

      Delete
    2. @Morbid Polar I am glad to have read your post.

      Non-attachment has been a learning from my experiences with a sociopath too. I would say I've found freedom as a result.

      I've learnt so much experientially and philosophically & am finding now that Zen extends my growth in all directions.

      Philosophically, I've moved from a Kantian, abstract view of the world to an Epicurean immersion in my own life and experience. Good things are easy to get :)

      Delete
    3. @ North, yes, it's been quite a painful ride, but then again, so has every experience that has been worth for my development.

      On another note going back to Puppy Basket's original comment, I think we're looking for a balance point, of equilibrium with the environment, where we attach and detach properly to maintain good relationships with nature (humans are part of it). That is a constant work in progress....

      Delete
  12. So many confuse the "sexual sadist" with psychopathy, if somebody wants to educate about "what´s what & who´s who" this is the issue. A "pure" law abiding socio sees the first mentioned condition as somebody who loves to hug garbage from trashcans or roll around in dung, w-e-i-r-d is the word.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ghandi and true sociopaths (not malignant narcissists) are similar in this way: they have an inner locus of control. That means they can tune out distractions far better than your average mortal and aren't overly concerned about trying to prevent their own deaths.

    In quieter moments (those not filled with religious ramblings or rage) where the intellect reigns, Ghandi and self aware sociopaths resemble Stoic philosophers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I saw a film about the French revolution. It was one of those "classic"
    1930's films. I used to watch all those films at the age of 12-14 because I never
    went out in the street.
    In this film, a man begs someone in aurthority if he can see the French Queen.
    She is about to have her head cut off. He wants to give her an encouraging
    message before her death. He says: "I'm just asking for one last visit at the cost
    of my own life." (He knows he will be killed as well.) He gives her the pep talk.
    It is heart rendering as are many of the films made at that time.
    I have a message for M.E.-an appeal-PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR CASEY
    ANTHONY! Please show a vestage of humanity! Have a heart! She's only 28,
    Two years younger then you.
    She will have material support. That is not the problem. She needs to know that
    mistakes can be forgiven, that humanity can be shown. That is your entire
    mission. Please reach out to her and give her some hope. Have a heart. Prove
    that a sociopath has humanity! Only YOU can do it. Show the world they are
    wrong about sociopaths! Do it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just because socios don´t identify/understand sadism they still can be very far removed from "humanity"! Many socios are under "heavy strain" from their normal relatives to have to endure their "empath issues" and "petty bickering", all the "humane" stuff the world loves to hear folks appreciate. But who thinks of the poor docile law abiding psycho having to politely listen to all that tiresome shite? Folks talking for half an hour about their swollen feet and, in detail, how they went to some doc to investigate their aching toe-problems!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. who is the egocentrical prick there ?

      Person who rambles on about their feet each and every fucking day, or the person who gets tired of listening. Id pick the first one. "Inflicting pain onto others and even feels no guilt and just pleasure doing so".

      P.

      Delete
    2. "Lack of impulse control. Cannot stop their feet-talk. Doesnt empathise with victim hinting about having little time to stay... "

      etc.. It just continues.

      And they never ends those rants. And there is nothing to do about it. And if one does suggest something, they wouldnt listen anyway, because it is not about the pain. It is about them.

      If escaping such an narcsisistsic conversation is sociopathy, then count me in. Prodly. Morally speaking. God dam narcs... :)

      P.

      Delete
  16. This question is based on another site, what is it that u want from me?

    ReplyDelete
  17. No way was Gandi a sociopath. He wasn't after power at all, after India's independence he turned down offers of working in parliament, and wasn't a fan of government at all.He said "A society organised around principles of non violence would be an anarchist society", and he thought India should be composed of small communities that were self governing. If he was a sociopath he would have seized the opportunity to become president.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I now believe Taylor Swift is a full on master sociopath. America's Sweetheart. She's good, yall.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good Day !!

    I am Hwa Jurong, a Reputable, Legitimate & an accredited money
    Lender. I want to use this medium to inform you that i render reliable beneficiary
    assistance as I'll be glad to offer you a loan at 2% interest rate to
    reliable individuals.

    Services Rendered include:

    *Home Improvement
    *Inventor Loans
    *Car Loans
    *Debt Consolidation Loan
    *Line of Credit
    *Second Loan
    *Business Loans
    *Personal Loans
    *International Loans.

    Please write back if interested.
    Upon Response, you'll be mailed a Loan application form to fill. (No social
    security and no credit check, 100% Guaranteed!) I Look forward permitting me to
    be of service to you. You can contact me via e-mail:hwajurong382@yahoo.com hwajurong12@gmail.com
    Yours Sincerely,

    Hwa Jurong(MD).

    ReplyDelete
  20. Some of the most compassionate people are sociopaths ,, yes I think it's very possible . Not only possible I think people are misinformed of just how good the sociopath can actually be inside towards others.

    ReplyDelete



  21. My Name is Carol Williams ..I never believed in Love Spells or Magics until I met this special spell caster when i contact this man called Dr.jartospellcaster@gmail.com Execute some business..He is really powerful..My wife divorce me with no reason for almost 4 years and i tried all i could to have her back cos i really love her so much but all my effort did not work out.. we met at our early age at the college and we both have feelings for each other and we got married happily for 5 years with no kid and she woke up one morning and she told me she’s going on a divorce..i thought it was a joke and when she came back from work she tender to me a divorce letter and she packed all her loads from my house..i ran mad and i tried all i could to have her back but all did not work out..i was lonely for almost 4 years...So when i told the spell caster what happened he said he will help me and he asked for her full name and her picture..i gave him that..At first i was skeptical but i gave it a try cos have tried so many spell casters and there is no solution...so when he finished with the readings,he got back to me that she’s with a man and that man is the reason why she left me...The spell caster said he will help me with a spell that will surely bring her back.but i never believe all this...he told me i will see a positive result within 3 days..3 days later,she called me herself and came to me apologizing and she told me she will come back to me..I cant believe this,it was like a dream cos i never believe this will work out after trying many spell casters and there is no solution..The spell caster is so powerful and after that he helped me with a pregnancy spell and my wife got pregnant a month later..we are now happy been together again and with lovely kid..This spell caster has really changed my life and i will forever thankful to him..he has helped many friends too with similar problem too and they are happy and thankful to him..This man is indeed the most powerful spell caster have ever experienced in life..Am Posting this to the Forum in case there is anyone who has similar problem and still looking for a way out..you can reach him here:Dr.jartospellcaster@gmail.com... CONTACT THIS GREAT AND POWERFUL SPELL CASTER CALLED Dr.jartospellcaster@gmail.com ... HIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS :Dr.jartospellcaster@gmail.com.. CONTACT HIM NOW AND BE FAST ABOUT IT SO HE CAN ALSO ATTEND TO YOU BECAUSE THE EARLIER YOU CONTACT HIM NOW THE BETTER FOR YOU TO GET QUICK SOLUTION TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS.

    ReplyDelete

Comments on posts over 14 days are SPAM filtered and may not show up right away or at all.