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Atticus

(15,124 posts)
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 08:52 PM Dec 2019

Most of us have a conscience--- an internal psychological mechanism that pretty reliably tells

us what is right and what is wrong; what's "OK" and what is not. And, most of us find it difficult, if not impossible, to violate our consciences without "acting guilty". We are not good liars and the thought of actually doing something overtly criminal, like robbing a bank or burglarizing a residence, is enough to make us feel queasy. Having a conscience definitely sets limits on a person's conduct, which is why the lack of a conscience is a requirement for those employed by the Trump regime.

When I was in college, one of the larger women's dorms installed a new "largest screen available" (25" ) color TV in their lounge. It is hard to imagine now, but this was actually a topic of discussion on campus, as in "WOW! Have you seen the HUGE color TV in Blank Hall?". It lasted about a week.

On a Friday afternoon, in broad daylight, a white van pulled up to the main entrance to the dorm. Two guys in coveralls got out and, pushing a two-wheel handcart, walked inside and took the elevator down to the lounge. The handful of students watching at that hour were told that the set had to go "to the shop" for "color adjustment". The set was soon wheeled onto the elevator, out the door and into the van. They drove away and the set was never recovered.

These guys just brazenly and calmly committed felony theft in front of multiple witnesses and they got away with it because they acted as if they were entitled to do the acts which constituted the crime.

Trump---and Barr and Pompeo and Mulvaney and Perry---and others---have committed more crimes than I want to take the time to list and they have done so in front of the nation, often in front of the press and, in several instances, have admitted committing the crimes. Their crime spree continues to this day. And, because we mistakenly credit them with possessing consciences like the rest of us, too many of us just can't believe that the Trump thugs are capable of such open and brazen criminality.

And, that's how Blank Hall lost it's new Magnavox back in '69.





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JohnnyLib2

(11,206 posts)
4. See Kohlberg, L on stages of moral development.
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 09:08 PM
Dec 2019

His work follows on that of Piaget.
They would probably rate 45 as on stage 2 of 6. Pre-moral or pre-conventional.
I suspect Intro to Psychology classes around the country are or have discussed that.

Kurt V.

(5,624 posts)
5. I've been thinking about kohlbrerg's work a lot lately . it doesn't seem to jive
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 09:24 PM
Dec 2019

with hyper individualism.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
2. Sociopaths, all of them.
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 08:59 PM
Dec 2019

1.Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

2.Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

Read the rest...
https://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html

dewsgirl

(14,961 posts)
3. Except Nunes his face screams, I am in way over my head, please
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 09:05 PM
Dec 2019

end this nightmare. He is not a natural like most of the others.

ancianita

(35,816 posts)
8. This is not about them. It's about US, and our ability to SEE them all in time to stop them.
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 11:16 PM
Dec 2019

WE are the ones who have to sharpen our perceptions, not take elected officers at their word unless they have proven trustworthiness.

We're the ones who have to step up, step in their way, not just point at evil, not jump up and down and effectively do nothing.

SergeStorms

(18,907 posts)
10. Republicans are born without that amino acid marker....
Tue Dec 10, 2019, 11:36 PM
Dec 2019

in their DNA. It's a throwback to many millions of years ago when most humans and reptiles split into different branches of life's family tree. Republicans retained a larger part of the reptilian brain than most normal humans, and 99.9% of them still use that large reptilian part of their brain on a day-to-day basis.

I'm not entirely certain of the science in that explanation, but the MAGAts would believe it and be damned proud of it!

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
12. What that conscience approves or disapproves of may be entirely due to conditioning
Wed Dec 11, 2019, 12:19 PM
Dec 2019

For many, disrespecting the (physical) flag is horrible, but removing the freedoms it represents is fine.

A couple of generations raised on hate radio and the mega-churches think Trump is fine.

If we ever want to fix that, we're going to have to do something about propaganda.

And that means we're going to have to re-examine that absolute freedom of speech. Lying must be stopped.

Can't do that? Then, expect more of the current crap.

DFW

(54,058 posts)
13. Just like some people are born without a limb or missing an ear
Thu Dec 12, 2019, 05:20 AM
Dec 2019

Trumpanzees are born without a conscience.

It is a prerequisite to do the things they do and still be able to sleep at night.

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