We are forced to judge on appearance, on actions. So, it would appear he
is indeed a psychopath, based on popular definitions.
What difference the label we apply?
While this story is tragically compelling, I am not interested in
speculation into the workings of a mind no one can know. Such
speculation only serves our own problematic personal agendas.
I do find the linked article interesting in relation to 'Zen'. It poses
a question for us:
Is antisocial behavior mindless, and pro-social behavior mindful?
No one can truly answer this, yet most will be compelled to anyway.
I can only reflect on my own mind. I some ways/on some days others would
judge me as kind, thoughtful, concerned for others well being and such.
Engaged. Pro-social. I other ways I can appear reserved, self-absorbed,
and detached - unconcerned with a lot of what most people are interested
in, seeing much of they do as pathological acting out, and I am without
any compulsion to be included and counted among them. Disengaged.
Antisocial.
Which am I? A question without need of answer. I leave people to their
own interpretations. Who can know my mind? How can I know theirs? Only
past, only actions, can be judged. Such judgement, is a lot like pulling
a trigger. How many see this?
My sense as I socially interact with others (among which I count my
'self'), is I tend to think in generally asocial ways, and largely
impersonally. To my sense of this, there is a vast difference between
asocial and antisocial or social. Asocial, being the 'Middle Path". This
does not appear to be a common perspective. From most others
perspectives this sort of relationship to what presents will most likely
appear as social - caring over contempt, or antisocial - contempt over
caring, based on context (perceptions/agendas of those looking). Others
will contemptuously assume I don't care. Just as most people assume
others have to be either theists or atheists - ignorant of the option
not to opt.
In this tragedy, I can neither condone nor condemn the actions of this
man. They are to anyone else's eyes wholly irrational (and the idea
there might be a rationality behind them, seems terrifying). Such
actions can only be superficially understood, their motivations cannot
be fully known. It is easy to feel contempt for him, and caring for the
victims, but this is ultimately self-serving.
If asked simplistic questions, I can form simple answers. If limited to
preset choices, I can choose. I simply see no point. Such judgements
attempt to offer some appearance of reason/stability, but cannot bring
any resolution or peace.
Much more can be said, but this is a time for silence. A great tragedy,
is being made worse by all the speculation and co-opting to serve petty
agendas (balanced only in small part by the opportunity to
reflect/appreciate).
My heart goes out to all, but my thoughts on this are of no use to
anyone - least of all me.
KG
On 7/24/2012 11:54 PM, Merle Lester wrote:
is the Colorado gunman a psychopath? merle
http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopath.htm
