Interesting article Pachyderm. Before I start - I first want to say that not all psychopaths end up killing someone or committing evil deeds. Since there is one member here who is honest about his diagnosis, I don't want to include or insult all psychopaths - because some really try to function well in society and they are very misunderstood. It's not fair to categorize all psychopaths into one lump. I also don't think every person who was abused will end up killing, although it's possible a persons childhood experience, could result in committing crimes later in life.

For example Charles Manson is a psychopath but he also had a terrible childhood. Experts now know there's a genetic component - meaning it can be inherited. The last few years scientists discovered through brain scans, the brains of psychopaths are different than 'normal' brains. Their brains are lacking in the area responsible for empathy and other emotions. This is an interesting but sad discovery, that reinforces the belief, there's no successful treatment or rehabilitation - only containing people who commit crimes. So a person can be born a psychopath - but I wonder if a child is abused and very deprived - could this also affect proper brain developement?

Not all killers are psychopaths. Where does evil come from? Some psychopaths are evil but evil occurs outside this group and I don't know where it comes from. Some people say we all have some potential to be evil, but I don't know if it's true. I think teaching empathy from a very young age, helps them become good members of society. I think people who commit evil deeds, do have souls - just evil souls. Very interesting topic.

Here's a link about the brain scans:
http://www.technologyreview.com/biotech/18573/?a=f