The Sociopath Next Door: The Ruthless Versus The Rest Of Us

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of mental illness and emotional abuse.

In The Sociopath Next Door, Stout emphasizes the immense importance of the conscience in human interactions, arguing that the absence of this moral guardrail can lead individuals to manipulate, harm, and use others without feeling regretful or guilty. The conscience not only is a philosophical construct but also has practical implications, particularly for how people navigate relationships. Without guilt or remorse, people with ASPD often manipulate others for personal gain, acting without regard for the feelings or well-being of those around them. Stout highlights the vulnerability of those who are exposed to people with ASPD, many of whom suffer profound trauma as a result. By working with trauma patients, Stout has seen firsthand how the absence of a conscience in others can create trauma, especially when those individuals are in positions of trust or power, such as a teacher, parent, or boss.

Given that the conscience inhibits individuals in pursuing their needs and desires, it might appear superficially to run counter to the evolutionary principle of “survival of the fittest.” Stout thus asks the rhetorical question, “Why have a conscience?” (15).