History Main / MoralSociopathy

* Zolf Kimblee from ''FullmetalAlchemist'' is perhaps the most iconic example in anime. While he is an AxCrazy MadBomber, it is well established that he does have a sense of honour, although a rather twisted one.

* [[spoiler:Gepetto]] in {{Fables}}, combining the worse of an EvilOverlord and a KnightTemplar, much to the [[{{Understatement}} dismay]] of everyone else.

While it is somewhat TruthInTelevision, sociopaths are still human, and it's not unnatural that sociopaths have a sense of right and wrong, [[BlueAndOrangeMorality even though it is completely different from what other people consider that to be]]. Many diagnosed sociopaths are known to have moral codes, either [[{{Ubermensch}} unique to them]] or already established. Naturally, since these types of morality focus more on abstract concepts [[LackOfEmpathy rather than the people themselves]], expect some rather nasty [[KnightTemplar extremism]].

* According to the creator's commentary, in KungFuPanda2, Lord Shen exhibits traits of this. He knows how [[MoralEventHorizon utterly horrendous]] his actions were, but he refuses to admit how wrong he was about his parents because it's the only way he can justify the genocide of the pandas. As far as he is concerned, it's too late for his redemption and rendering everything as accidents is unthinkable.

* Jade Curtiss in ''TalesOfTheAbyss'' is a [[HeroicSociopath heroic]] version. He has no empathy whatsoever, but is troubled by this, and always tries to do the right thing even though his concept of right and wrong can be a little skewed.

* Vino from ''{{Baccano}}'' is the sort of person best summed up as "AxCrazy [[CrazyAwesome Awesome]]." For someone who likes to [[{{Gorn}} grind people's faces off on train tracks]], he gets ''very'' annoyed when someone attacks an uninvolved bystander.

While it is somewhat TruthInTelevision, sociopaths are still human, and it's not unnatural that sociopaths have a sense of right and wrong, [[BlueAndOrangeMorality even though it is completly different from what other people consider that to be]]. Many diagnosed sociopaths are known to have moral codes, either [[{{Ubermensch}} unique to them]] or already established. Naturally, since these types of morality focus more on abstract concepts [[LackOfEmpathy rather than the people themselves]], expect some rather nasty [[KnightTemplar extremism]].

While it is somewhat TruthInTelevision, sociopaths are still human, and it's not unnatural that sociopaths have a sense of right and wrong, [[BlueAndOrangeMorality even though it is completly different from what other people consider that to be]]. Many diagnosed sociopaths are known to have moral codes, either [[{{Ubermensch}} unique to them]] or already established.

Naturally, since these types of morality focus more on abstract concepts [[LackOfEmpathy rather than the people themselves]], expect some rather nasty [[KnightTemplar extremism]]. See also PrinciplesZealot, when a villain is completly obsessed with his/her moral code; many moral sociopaths are these as well, as they care more about their moral code than people themselves. However, moral sociopaths need not to be always overwhelmed by extremism; some can be more NobleDemon types, which while lacking empathy, still have a moral code to restrict them in some ways. Also compare/contrast BlackAndWhiteInsanity.

* [[TheHunchbackOfNotreDame Frollo]] is selfish in his lust for Esmeralda, but otherwise he sincerily believes [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel half of the things he does]] genuinely are what God intended (albeit because [[TautologicalTemplar he, Frollo, couldn't possibly do anything God didn't want him to do)]]. A pretty big break from the literary version, who was a much nicer AntiVillain and probably not a sociopath at all.

* According to the creator's commentary, [[KungFuPanda2 Lord Shen]] exhibits traits of this. He knows how [[MoralEventHorizon utterly horrendous]] his [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel actions]] were, but he refuses to admit how wrong he was about his parents because it's the only way he can justify the genocide of the pandas. As far as he is concerned, it's too late for his redemption and rendering everything as accidents is unthinkable.

Naturally, since these types of morality focus more on abstract concepts [[LackOfEmpathy rather than the people themselves]], expect some rather nasty [[KnightTemplar extremism]]. See also PrinciplesZealot, when a villain is completly obsessed with his/her moral code; many moral sociopaths are these as well, as they care more about their moral code than people themselves. However, moral sociopaths need not to be always overwhelmed by extremism; some can be more NobleDemon types, which while lacking empathy, still have a moral code to restrict them in some ways.

[[AC:LiveActionTelevision]]
* The [[InNameOnly infamous]] ''WonderWoman'' 2011 unaired pilot portrays her as this. In the comics, she averts this trope completly, having a sense of order but also being extremely compassionate. In said unaired pilot, she keeps her morals, but her compassion is gone, being replaced by a terrifying willingness to commit murder and torture for the greater good. On top of that, ''everyone'' praises her KnightTemplar attitude, heavily suggesting that MoralSociopathy [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel is the norm for that universe.]]

* Mr. Blonde from ''ReservoirDogs'' cuts a man's ear off for fun, has no sense of professionalism and sees problems with indiscriminately innocent bystanders, and clearly has no regard for his fellow robbers or their well-being. On the flip side, he appears to have a great deal of personal loyalty to his employer Joe and is shown (in a flashback) to have refused a plea bargain and instead serving a jail sentence when he could have walked by implicating Joe in a smuggling operation he was caught in.

* [[{{Bioshock}}Sofia Lamb]] is a curious case in that she probably did not began as this, being originally driven by her altruistic goals (though arguably she was enamoured with the concept rather than the people themselves), but by the time of the game she became a TotalitarianUtilitarian obsessed with removing individuality and curing humanity's genetic fatalism.

* [[FullmetalAlchemist Kimblee]] is perhaps the most iconic example in anime. While he is an AxCrazy MadBomber, it is well established that he does have a sense of honour, although a rather twisted one.

* [[TheHunchbackOfNotreDame Frollo]] is selfish in his lust for Esmeralda, but otherwise he sincerily believes [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel half of the things he does]] genuinely are what God intended.

* [[LightIsNotGood Kore]] from {{Goblins}}. He does sincerely believe he is doing the right thing by mercilessly slaughtering everyone that has been in contact with "evil races", even children of his own species that were with said "evil races".

[[AC:RealLife]]
* Countless religious extremists. No specific examples are needed, because chances are that you have crossed with someone like this on your life time.

* Subverted with Hrathen in ''{{Elantris}}'', who seems like a religious fanatic at first, but turns out to be one of the more reasonable antagonists and goes through crippling guilt for his actions. [[spoiler:Played utterly straight with Dilaf]].

* Subverted with Hrathen in ''{{Elantris}}'', who seems like a religious fanatic at first, but turns out to be one of the more reasonable antagonists and goes through crippling guilt for his actions. [[spoiler:Played utterly straight with Dilaf]].

[[AC:LiveAction]]