Describing the Psychopath's Inner Reality
January 24, 2009
The psychopath is unfamiliar with the primary facts or data of what might be called personal values and is altogether incapable of understanding such matters. it is impossible for him to take even a slight interest in the tragedy or joy or the striving of humanity as presented in serious literature or art. He is also indifferent to all these matters in life itself. Beauty and ugliness, except in a very superficial sense, goodness, evil, love, horror, and humor have no actual meaning no power to move him. He is, furthermore, lacking in the ability to see that others are moved.
It is as though he were color-blind, despite his sharp intelligence, to this aspect of human existence. It cannot be explained to him because there is nothing in his orbit of awareness that can bridge the gap with comparison. He can repeat the words and say glibly that he understands, and there is no way for him to realize that he does not understand.
From The Mask of Sanity: An Attempt to Clarify Some Issues About the So Called Psychopathic Personality. Pricey on Amazon, but available for download here.