Psychopathy

Abstract

It used to be thought that psychopathy is a serious, life‐long, largely untreatable disorder characterized by abnormal emotions, impulsivity, irresponsibility, problems learning from experience, and antisocial behavior. However, the recent evidence throws doubt on the idea that psychopathy designates a natural kind or a medical taxon, that all diagnosed psychopaths are impulsive or antisocial, and that psychopathy is untreatable. This has significant consequences for how we think of the moral capacities of different people diagnosed with psychopathy and their legal responsibility.