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Thread: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

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    United States Avalon Member Dennis Leahy's Avatar
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    Default What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    I always thought the words "sociopath" and "psychopath" had different meanings, but when you look up the definitions, most definitions equate the two.

    In my mind, a "psychopath" is a sociopath-in-action. Like hillary clinton getting Gadaffi murdered with a knife up his anus, and then cackling in glee about it.

    You don't have to see the word "sociopathy" and its opposite as a dichotomy; you can see it as a spectrum between "sociopathy" and [_____________] <-- whatever word or phrase you see as the opposite. But you have to state the opposite to form the other end of the spectrum.

    If you agree that the Earth is controlled by* sociopaths/psychopaths, and that they are, well, let's just say, "really bad guys", not to be emulated, then you might just want to aim at being the opposite of a sociopath, right? So, you need to be able to define for yourself what the other end of the spectrum is from sociopathy. *(let's stay at the human level, and not go to reptilians or archons)

    This isn't a Milgram Experiment, I promise. No one will be harmed. It could be a powerful thought experiment - whether you offer an answer here in text or not. I've thought about this and have answered it for myself, and would appreciate hearing your answer (and for those who don't answer, I'm happy to have presented it to you for you private thought experiment.)

    So, what is the opposite of sociopathy?


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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    I’m gonna go with empath.
    Never give up on your silly, silly dreams.

    You mustn't be afraid to dream a little BIGGER, darling.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Hello - Thank you for this thought provoking thread

    quick reply: I believe the opposite of a socio/psychopath could accurately be defined as a person who is firmly committed to living her life in service to others...

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    I would say the opposite of a sociopath is anyone with a conscience.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Perhaps it is a being who is consciously aware of what it really means to do no harm and who actively/consciously lives this way.
    Last edited by Constance; 25th February 2019 at 05:18.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    I would like to amend my answer a little, because I think even sociopaths can have a conscience.

    I think all humans have a conscience, but in a sociopath it's been buried and reduced to a whisper...but could still be heeded if desired.

    I think the opposite of a sociopath is someone who has learned, with practice, how to listen to their conscience and have the discipline and strength of character to act in accordance with it.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    My mind's eye sees a suckling baby being held and cared for.
    ..................................................my first language is TYPO..............................................

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    If a sociopath enjoys hurting others then the opposite would be the one who dont enjoy hurting others but rather enjoy helping others. We can invent a word for that the important thang is the essence.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Sociopathy, or psychopathy, is a disease. The opposite therefore is health.

    It's like asking, "What is the opposite of cancer?"

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    A LOVER of life and good will.
    A person you trust and love to have around you.

    Some one like Bill perhaps
    I'm a simple easy going guy that is very upset/sad with the worlds hidden controllers!
    We need LEADERS who bat from the HEART!
    Rise up above them Dark evil doers, not within anger but with LOVE

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Looks to me that all the posts combined offer an accurate and comprehensive answer. What do you think it is, Dennis?
    Never give up on your silly, silly dreams.

    You mustn't be afraid to dream a little BIGGER, darling.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    I think a psychopath/sociopath is identified with nothing but his/her ego and is not aware that everything and everyone are connected. The opposite is someone who truly understands that we are all different expressions of the same oneness and that when you lie or hurt "someone else" you are in fact lying to yourself.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    If one considers a sociopath/psychopath to be one who is devoid of emotion, then the opposite would be one who had incontrollable or unfettered emotion, and would likewise be considered deficient in the opposite way.

    I like Christian's statement, that the opposite would be health.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Michael Tsarion has done some good work on the difference between the Sage vs The Psychopath. (Although membership to their unslaved podcast is required to view it, unfortunately).

    Even Tsarion seems to lump psychopath and sociopath into one catch-all category though, without much distinction between the two.

    Clare Graves character levels highlights the core difference between them.

    Level 3 on the Graves system is defined as “Express Self To Hell With Others” i.e. the psychopath, these people tend to be more intimidating because they have no qualms about making a scene and having a bust up. Purely motivated by their own survival and self interest. They’d murder, steal, harass and torment without any care as to how they’re perceived by others. Usually found among low level thugs and street dealers, their psychopathic behaviour is expressed overtly, so they’re more likely to end up in prison. The Will-to-Power is expressed in a crude and threatening way.

    Level 5 is “Express Self Calculatedly, For Personal Benefit at Expense of Others” i.e. the sociopath, cares more about how their image is perceived by the rest of society, so most of their psychopathic behaviour is done covertly, behind a facade of charm and charisma. Still purely motivated by their own self interest, and completely lacking empathy—the ability to have feelings about other people’s feelings. These are the snakes with 2 faces. The face they present to the world as a successful and motivated businessman/politician, and a face behind closed doors that seethes with rage and envy, that’ll do anything to claw its way to the top of the pecking order. The Will-to-Power is expressed discreetly, so that their manipulative behaviour isn’t recognised by society at large.

    Sociopaths have more self awareness than psychopaths because they’re able to recognise how they’re perceived by others, whereas the psychopath simply doesn’t care how others see them.

    Rather than opposites, it’s more about degrees of self-awareness, where the Will-to-Wisdom replaces self interest and the Sage develops an understanding of how their actions can impact and benefit society as a whole.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Entymologically speaking I think I'd have to agree with Rachel - empath.

    As to the difference between the two, my take -

    *a sociopath is born devoid of empathy - incapable of feeling in any 'socially accepted' way.

    *a psychopath has developed this condition through experiencing severe trauma and stress.

    For what it's worth - when I raised this topic a while back with my sister (sporting her freshly minted
    psychology doctorate) - she agreed this was as useful a distinction as any.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    The opposite of sociopathy, the social disease? I would guess gregariousness.
    Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water...Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. Bruce Lee

    Free will can only be as free as the mind that conceives it.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Sociopaths are made by society, surroundings. Those people you can find in everyday life. Mostly in places of power but not exclusive.
    while psychopaths are born that way.

    My uncle was a psychiatrist so we had a little chat about this topic few years ago.
    Rise Above Ignorance!

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    The opposite of sociopathy is altruism.

    Sociopathy is entirely for oneself. Or another way of putting it is Sociopathy is self interest to the extreme to exclusion of society.

    A good example from GoT: Little finger would burn down the world if he could be king of the ashes. This is a sociopathy.

    So it is a spectrum and sociopathy or self interest on one extreme with altruism and selflessness on the other.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Quote Posted by xion (here)
    Sociopaths are made by society, surroundings. Those people you can find in everyday life. Mostly in places of power but not exclusive.
    while psychopaths are born that way.

    My uncle was a psychiatrist so we had a little chat about this topic few years ago.
    Thank you for making this distinction.

    I believe psychopaths are born that way. Not saying these people start out awful, they're just so predisposed that the chances of awfullness are very very high...

    Sociopaths I can relate to quite a bit, and I do think society molds much of it. I might even be turning into a sociopath myself, and although it's not an ideal situation, it could be worse. My emotions are becoming muted, but my conscience is definitely more than just a whisper.
    Last edited by petra; 25th February 2019 at 15:31.

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    Default Re: What is the opposite of sociopathy?

    Quote Posted by Rachel (here)
    I’m gonna go with empath.
    The interesting thing about being an empath is that it is a form of maladaption on the other end of the spectrum from sociopaths and narcissists. I have empathetic qualities and always thought I was just born that way, that it was a gift, or many times a curse. Although I'm sure there will be much disagreement about this, I feel that most empathetic people learn at an early age that the best way for them to gain attention is to be the listener, the fixer, the mediator, to be attuned to the feelings of others before ourselves. The need to do this will crop up from parents that are emotionally disconnected or they may well have a parent(s) that is a narcissist or sociopath. This can cause the empath and sociopaths or narcissists to have an attraction to each other. The empath offers attention, is a good listener and compassionate for a narcissist or sociopath to suck up like a sponge. The empath will see potential, or feel they can help or change a S or N.

    So being a empath may be the opposite of sociopathy but it is as unbalanced as a sociopath, although it is not nearly as destructive and can in fact have attributes. At the end of the day, I think it is much harder to be an empath than a sociopath or a narcissist.

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