sociopaths by definition are not responsible for their actions because they are incapable of feeling empathy.
This is incorrect. You're mixing up personality disorders with mental illnesses. Sociopaths are fully responsible for their actions according to the law (everywhere) and morally. The fact that you don't really mind when your victim suffers doesn't give you the right to choose to make your victim suffer, obviously. More importantly there is no reason that you have to do it, just because you wouldn't mind. The vast majority of sociopaths are not murderers, almost none of them start wars.
Riddle's childhood was the worst thing that could have happened to him as far as keeping him well-adjusted goes, but his own will is untouched and actually rather strong. He could have easily chosen to become MfM the normal way or anything he desired. He could have easily left his muggle family alone, not caring one bit what happens to them. He chose revenge.
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Date: 2007-06-14 12:18 pm (UTC)This is incorrect. You're mixing up personality disorders with mental illnesses. Sociopaths are fully responsible for their actions according to the law (everywhere) and morally. The fact that you don't really mind when your victim suffers doesn't give you the right to choose to make your victim suffer, obviously. More importantly there is no reason that you have to do it, just because you wouldn't mind. The vast majority of sociopaths are not murderers, almost none of them start wars.
Riddle's childhood was the worst thing that could have happened to him as far as keeping him well-adjusted goes, but his own will is untouched and actually rather strong. He could have easily chosen to become MfM the normal way or anything he desired. He could have easily left his muggle family alone, not caring one bit what happens to them. He chose revenge.
Um I'm kind of off topic, so I'll stop.