Talk:Doctrine 5/@comment-3069206-20110104052919

Epicurus makes a good point, I think that it's true that, if you're a normal person, you can't.

Psychopaths are though, I think an exception. Whether they manage to live pleasantly at all is one question - we should perhaps pity their stunted lives. However, insofar as they can, they are quite happy to be dishonourable and unjust so long as it advantages them. When they compete with normal human beings who trust them, this is an advantage.

The most successful psychopaths achieve their ends by convincing themselves that everything they do is honourable and just, just as they believe that everything they say is true (even if it's the opposite of what they said nothing). I don't think they live pleasantly, but that might be wishful thinking...