EDD: Empathy Deficit Disorder?

[domi]

_http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/21/AR2007122102266.html?hpid=sec-health

Saw this carried on digg.

Summary: The author coins Empathy Deficit as a disorder (not in DSM), provides anecdotal examples, but no real data.

I am wondering if what the author is seeing is ponerology in action where a deviant societal mindset is having a measurable effect on normal human beings by a reduction in empathy.

Your thoughts?

 

[Approaching Infinity]

It sounds like the author is describing primary integration (in Dabrowski's terms), which can apply to a fairly large portion of humanity (not just psychopaths). Many of those who lack empathy can develop it. I'd guess that at least 25% of the population (i.e. authoritarian personality types and social dominators) would classify as EDD.