If there was a MRI scan that revealed if a person is a psychopath - would you support a requirement that those trying to become politicians should take such a test and if they fail. . They would not be allowed to hold a office.

Yes, I read, and I am literally asking you what your point is.

You point out that brain surgery is very different from autism and depression, and that they have the skills to do the job, while the original post is asking about psychopathy.

I understand OPs response: they are saying that their brain surgery means they shouldn't do certain tasks and asking why that logic doesn't that extend to psychopathy.

Your response notes that autism and depression don't impact the ability to be politicians, and I'm saying "yeah, and...? what does that have to do with psychopathy?"

I never said ASPD made people inherently dangerous. I do said it is very different from autism or depression, and I strongly stand by that. Why isn't it different?

If someone is severely depressed, they may in fact exhibit poor decision making, harm themselves or others, etc., but hurting others and not being sorry about it isn't the definition of depression.

ASPD is literally defined by things like:

Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental disorder in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353928

So if someone shows regards for the feelings of others, respects their rights, and shows guilt or remorse for their actions, then they aren't diagnosable as having ASPD regardless of what an MRI might say or whatever future tech could detect "secret" psychopaths.

As someone with severe depression and anxiety who knows people who have BPD, bipolar disorder, and autism, I find it astonishing how strong the support of people with ASPD is and how often people bring up other disorders in defense of ASPD.

I'm not saying "lock 'em up and throw away the key"; I'm saying if you are exhibiting the ASPD symptoms such as "showing no regard for right and wrong" to the point of being diagnosable, you should, absolutely, be considered ineligible for office (and some other positions).

There's plenty of work that doesn't require you to actively consider the well-being of others. Being a politician shouldn't be considered one of them.

/r/NoStupidQuestions Thread Parent