The Corporation: A Psychopath

[_Fiannan]

I think people are using the label psychopath without examining what it truly means. Let's take a look in the context of a large corporation:

1) A psychopath lacks empathy.
-- A corporation by its very nature cares for the bottom line.

2) A psychopath has a grand sense of self-worth.
-- Mission statements and PR.

3) Superficial charm.
-- Well, again, look at the image and how PR is used, and of course the old "we care about our customers thing. Well, so does a vampire -- for sustenance.

4) Pathological lying.
-- Well, they do employ tons of lawyers to make sure the "truth" makes them look good.

5) Cunning and manipulative.
-- Well, duh!

6) Lack of remorse or guilt.
-- Again, duh!

7) Emotionally shallow.
-- If you have the money, they have the time.

8) Failure to accept responsibility.
-- Check #4.

Now these are the primary traits of psychopaths but there are of course distinctions between types. I would place the corporation (as well as most politicians) into the category of "charismatic psychopath" since this sort of psychopath tends to be more goal oriented and does take into account the cost-benefit consequences of actions.