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Was Hubbard a Sociopath

well_that_sucked

Patron with Honors
If we use the world's definition of a psychopath/sociopath we can quickly see that the founder of the cult of scientology fits most if not all the criterion. Through scientology I believe he displaces a persons personality and replaces it with his own insanity.

Here are the listed traits and attributes of a sociopath from one site, there are many others listed just do a google search for sociopath.

Profile of the Sociopath

This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.


* Glibness and Superficial Charm

* Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

* Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

* 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.

* 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.

* Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

* Incapacity for Love

* Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.

* Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.

* Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.

* Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

* Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.

* Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.

* Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.

* Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

Other Related Qualities:

1. Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
2. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
3. Authoritarian
4. Secretive
5. Paranoid
6. Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
7. Conventional appearance
8. Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
9. Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
10. Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
11. Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
12. Incapable of real human attachment to another
13. Unable to feel remorse or guilt
14. Extreme narcissism and grandiose
15. May state readily that their goal is to rule the world


(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
 

Veda

Sponsor
Hubbard discusses his two wives and one erased wife at 12:52 - 13:49:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_w-YWwC1lI

From L. Ron Hubbard's 1947 self-Affirmations:

"Your writing has a deep hypnotic effect on people and they are always pleased with what you write."

"Your psychology is advanced and true and wonderful. It hypnotizes people. It predicts their emotions, for you are their ruler.
 

Penguin

Patron
From what I've heard... I'd say yes.

There's been some study in the paths a genuine sociopath may take in life. In the States, we typically reward the more socially acceptable cases with careers in Politics or Business. In fact, I've worked with many bosses who share most of those traits, even if on a smaller level than people like LRH. Those are just characteristics, for better or worse, that tend to be helpful rather than a hindrance in some areas of business.
 

Zinjifar

Silver Meritorious Sponsor
Being a sociopath is not a *crime*

It's just more or less obvious that sociopaths will have to commit crimes to achieve their goals.

But, being a sociopath is not a crime

Zinj
 

finishedman

Patron with Honors
Maybe Hubbard was trying to break away from the stranglehold that society has in that it created us solely for the purpose of maintaining the status quo. But trying to be an indivdual in that scenerio would cast one into the morass of neurosis where when once a person has to change to function sanely, he wants to change again.

So from what reference point can you say you are attempting to become something othere that what you are?

....sorry.... I'm new....
 

Penguin

Patron
Hi finishedman. I'm new too... but welcome!

I suppose, not knowing the man myself, it might be arguable that he's personally trying to break away from the stranglehold. But can you honestly read the testimonies of people who knew him up close on a day-to-day basis and not say that he perpetuated the proverbial sins of the father?
 

Cherished

Silver Meritorious Patron
IANAP (I Am Not A Psychiatrist/Psychologist) :coolwink:

but my pop-psych analysis is SOCIOPATH!!!!

And I fully agree with Zinj. The label does not determine how the person behaves. Some people will commit crimes, others won't. I have never understood the DSM or any psychiatrist/psychologist to have argued that any of the "personality disorders" deprive a person of responsibility for their actions. None of the "personality disorders" are relevant to an assessment of legal capacity for forensic purposes (court).
 

finishedman

Patron with Honors
Hi finishedman. I'm new too... but welcome!

I suppose, not knowing the man myself, it might be arguable that he's personally trying to break away from the stranglehold. But can you honestly read the testimonies of people who knew him up close on a day-to-day basis and not say that he perpetuated the proverbial sins of the father?

Thanks for the welcome

Whether we are caught up in an imposed reality or looking out there for another one or even the ultimate, we're probably always limited to the actions of our thinking which in turn are limited to its perpetuation, its continuity, its permanence for its own purposes. Whereas the truth of the matter is more of a flowing movement that cannot be captured and contained, where there is no concern whether any type of thought is there or not, where there is no concern for thought at all.
 

Feral

Rogue male
It's clear to me that David Miscavige fits that description well, if Hubbard was a bit iffy, then DM is a sure contender!

In fact they would be the ne plus ultra in sociopathic duos.

What Batman and Robyn were to crime fighting LRH and DM could be to plans of world domination.

The deranged duo.:thumbsup:

DM always reminded me of Robyn with his over emphasized,smart arse oratory style at events.
 
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