Sociopaths are not insane
They know the rules—they just choose to break them
Are sociopaths insane? Here’s how Dr. Robert Hare, who uses the term psychopaths, answers the question:
“Psychopaths do meet current legal and psychiatric standards for sanity. They understand the rules of society and the conventional meanings of right and wrong. They are capable of controlling their behavior, and they are aware of the potential consequences of their acts. Their problem is that this knowledge frequently fails to deter them from antisocial behavior.
“In my opinion, psychopaths certainly know enough about what they are doing to be held accountable for their actions.”*
*© 1993 by Robert D. Hare, PhD. Reprinted by permission of The Guilford Press.
Next: The Inner Triangle – understanding sociopaths, psychopaths, addicts and alcoholics