Author: Maibom Heidi L.

Source: Mind & Language, Volume 20, Number 2, April 2005 , pp. 237-257(21)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

:

Psychopaths are renowned for their immoral behavior. They are ideal candidates for testing the empirical plausibility of moral theories. Many think the source of their immorality is their emotional deficits. Psychopaths experience no guilt or remorse, feel no empathy, and appear to be perfectly rational. If this is true, sentimentalism is supported over rationalism. Here, I examine the nature of psychopathic practical reason and argue that it is impaired. The relevance to morality is discussed. I conclude that rationalists can explain the moral deficits of psychopaths as well as sentimentalists. In the process, I identify psychological structures that underpin practical rationality.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0268-1064.2005.00284.x

Publication date: 2005-04-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Language & Linguistics ,  Philosophy
• By this author: Maibom Heidi L.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers