RE: Self-governance and self-control: Re-chipping the mind
Our brains are the product of millions of years of evolution. Eating sweets and carbs was a good idea from our gene’s point of view, that is until we were able to create unlimited supplies. Now it's a matter of self-control. The old “Marshmallow Test,” a.k.a., delayed gratification – and it can be taught – no “chip” is needed.
As for psychopathy, there is a physiologist, James Fallon, who while doing clinical studies of murderers and patients with psychopathy and schizophrenia, found that he had the same genetic makeup of a full-blown psychopath. It turns out that you can have the gene (MAOA) but not exhibit the psychotic behavior if you’re not exposed to childhood maltreatment during a very specific time of brain development. That implies that psychopathy can be minimized and maybe even treated if the markers are identified early enough.
Thanks for the post – you always get me thinking.
I think when it comes to many psychological traits, there is a fair amount of influence we can have. As a species, we are likely the most affected by the nurture component and even negative aspects could become positive if handled in the right way. I would assume that there are many psychopaths who have trained their actions (unknowingly) to positive pursuits.
What most people fail to admit though that under the right circumstances, we can all behave like the most heinous of monsters. Thankfully, most never are in those circumstances though.