LV never loved anyone

[fanofminerva]

No: HPFGUIDX 110484

<snip> 
> As an aside : can one truly *choose* hate and evil if they've never
> experienced love and goodness ?
> And : wouldn't the fact that Tom never cared for anyone indicate a
> major mental disease (not unexpected considering the 
circumstances) ?
> 
<snip>
 
> Del

I am looking at the diagnostic criteria for Antisocial Personality 
Disrder, a.k.a."sociopath" or "psychopath" in the DSM-IV, and TR/LV 
certainly meets the criterial.  It has been hypothesized in research 
involving psychopathy that these folks do lack the ability to love, 
have empathy, show remorse, etc.  I know that at a treatment program 
where I worked, we screened for psychopathy and would not admit them 
in certain group therapies because it simply made them "better 
psychopaths."  Some have described folks like this as being born 
without a conscience.  This certainly seems to describe Tom.  

Furthermore, Axis II disorders (the personality disorders) are 
considered serious psychological disorders.

Julie -- who knows the DSM-IV is not JKR's canon by hopes the list 
elves think this adds to character discussion