Current Events > Why do sociopaths exist in modern societies?

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Why weren't sociopaths phased out early on in human evolution? Is there an evolutionary advantage for a sociopath, to where people have maintained this trait into the present day?

yes
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Why weren't gay people phased out early on in human development? I don't know that either but the answer is probably something similar

MJ_Max posted...

Why weren't gay people phased out early on in human development? I don't know that either but the answer is probably something similar

you got a point but mods will be mods
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They are the only societies where they CAN exist. If we still lived in shamanistic communal societies people like that are left for dead rather quickly.

It's almost as if the Topic Creator is expecting a simple answer to a complicated question.
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MJ_Max posted...

Why weren't gay people phased out early on in human development? I don't know that either but the answer is probably something similar

I think for answers on why homosexuality is still around, we can look at our closest living relatives, the bonobos. They use sex to bond and maintain harmony among the society. There's an abundance of homosexual activity in bonobo societies, and I'm sure the root of why humans do it can at least be traced to how we evolved in tight-knit communities.

The answer if very complicated. To get into here would require a wall of text. Instead, just search for the hawk-dove theory.
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refmon posted...

MJ_Max posted...

Why weren't gay people phased out early on in human development? I don't know that either but the answer is probably something similar

you got a point but mods will be mods

*SHITPOSTING INTENSIFIES*
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refmon posted...

MJ_Max posted...

Why weren't gay people phased out early on in human development? I don't know that either but the answer is probably something similar

you got a point but mods will be mods

There's the gay uncle hypothesis where gay people will care for their nieces/nephews while not having kids to eat up resources.

Or the idea whatever does cause homosexuality helps people who have some of those traits without actually being homosexual.
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You don't see why a lack of empathy for other human beings might help someone to get ahead in modern society? If anything, being a sociopath is a boon.
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ThePrinceFish posted...

You don't see why a lack of empathy for other human beings might help someone to get ahead in modern society? If anything, being a sociopath is a boon.

Evolution is concerned with survival of the species, not the individual. Someone who harms greater society for individual benefit is a net negative to the overall species.

Someone going around shooting up a mall or something is not a boon.

You're simplifying evolution too much
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No, it's really that simple. Traits that are a boon to the species survival remain.

Unless you think killing people is a boon...

DoctorPiranha3 posted...

ThePrinceFish posted...

You don't see why a lack of empathy for other human beings might help someone to get ahead in modern society? If anything, being a sociopath is a boon.

Evolution is concerned with survival of the species, not the individual. Someone who harms greater society for individual benefit is a net negative to the overall species.

Someone going around shooting up a mall or something is not a boon.

Evolution doesn't have that sort of self-awareness. Evolution just works on the basis of what promotes the survival of that individual. A sociopath might be harmful to humanity as a whole, but their sociopathy might be beneficial to their own survival.

I mean if you're competing for food or women, not being held back by feelings of empathy would actually be beneficial to you. You could stab everyone else in the back and not feel bad. You could rape someone and not feel any remorse.

AugustAdoulin posted...

DoctorPiranha3 posted...

ThePrinceFish posted...

You don't see why a lack of empathy for other human beings might help someone to get ahead in modern society? If anything, being a sociopath is a boon.

Evolution is concerned with survival of the species, not the individual. Someone who harms greater society for individual benefit is a net negative to the overall species.

Someone going around shooting up a mall or something is not a boon.

Evolution doesn't have that sort of self-awareness. Evolution just works on the basis of what promotes the survival of that individual. A sociopath might be harmful to humanity as a whole, but their sociopathy might be beneficial to their own survival.

I mean if you're competing for food or women, not being held back by feelings of empathy would actually be beneficial to you. You could stab everyone else in the back and not feel bad. You could rape someone and not feel any remorse.

Come to think of it, I read that humanity was pushed to the brink of extinction during the ice age, and these traits were probably favorable during a time when resources were scarce. Chimpanzees are also known for this kind of behavior, and it's because their environment is harsh and they're in constant competition for resources.

I guess the problem now is that we've survived beyond that point, and are now flourishing. And we have technology and resources that enables sociopaths to do more heinous things.

Spreading your seed and producing offspring is not dependent on empathy.
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