Posted by boB on April 16, 2000, at 21:30:37
In reply to Re: unblocking, posted by 166.102.***.*** on April 16, 2000, at 6:17:37
No. Sociopathy is not a mental illness, at least as considered under McNaughten (sp) test for mental illness used in most courts.
I am not sure about DSM-IV - I did not think it classified sociopathy as a mental illness, but I am working way beyond my informed recollection with that guess. I think sociopathy is more like a personality trait than a classified illness. My general recollection of my readings is that sociopathy is basicly badness, in the eyes of a court. Mental illness, to a court, is the inability to perceive or anticipate the consequences of ones actions, and a lack of moral judgement. Sociopathy is the choice to make the wrong moral decision. At least this is my paraphrase of what I recall about this.
Regardless the definition, I consider it important to realize that the nomenclature was created for the convienience of the legal or medical institions that use it. You personal understanding of sociopathy as a mental illness likely reflects sound judgement and understanding beyond the published definitions.
poster:boB
thread:30106
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30264.html