# Don't we also have to respect cheaters and sociopaths?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [January 28, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204 "2005-01-28T23:25:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Roland\_Deschain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Deschain)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/1 "2005-01-28T23:25:30Z")
In my diversity, and multiculturalism in American Religion class last semester we discussed how it is important to respect even those we disagree with. As examples she offered Satanists, Objectivists (think of Ian Rand), and Hedonists just as much as we might Jews and Catholics. Well fine, why dosesn’t this attitude apply to cheaters and sociopaths? For example a teacher below complains about students who cheat. Well as a Libertarian/Conservative/Republican/Hedonist/Socipath I don’t even believe the government should be involved in telling me that I have to go to nursing school to take the NCLEX and become a licensed nurse (you see I am reasonable since I will compromise and agree to let the government have basic compentcy tests although in truth I don’t really support even these). Since I reject the governments authority I resolve to use any method fair or fowl to pass to my classes. Indeed, this is consistent with my Sociopathic outlook which you are obliged to respect at least according to my American Religion class.
Where am I going wrong here?
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/2 "2005-01-28T23:29:26Z")
> [@Roland Deschain](#):
>
> any method fair or fowl to pass to my classes.
Does this involve sacrificing a chicken?
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### Author:  [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/3 "2005-01-28T23:32:26Z")
Every time you post I scream Axis II.
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### Author:  [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/4 "2005-01-28T23:32:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> Does this involve sacrificing a chicken?
That was the Satanists. Pay attention 😛
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/5 "2005-01-28T23:40:16Z")
My freedom to flail my arms about ends where my fist connects with your face. Where is it easy to see where people are obviously hurt by someone else’s actions, it’s easy to say that people shouldn’t do that. It gets more grey when someone isn’t as obviously hurt like a fist in the face. I can respect the rights of someone doing something to hurt other people, but I can’t allow them to continue to hurt other people.
(Do you mean **Ayn** Rand, the Objectivist?)
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### Author:  [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/6 "2005-01-28T23:42:07Z")
First of all it’s Ayn Rand.
Second of all I’m kind of in favour of _someone_ making a standard for who will be nurse to me…
Thirdly…I don’t know what your teacher was on about but I’d agree you should respect a person as a person even if you disagree with there ideas. That doesn’t mean accepting their ideas. And of course, if their ideas lead them to be a lousy human being…like a sociopath…then I might lose respect for them.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/7 "2005-01-28T23:42:08Z")
It’s Ayn Rand.
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### Author:  [@sweetfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweetfreak)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/8 "2005-01-28T23:42:27Z")
> [@Roland Deschain](#):
>
> In my diversity, and multiculturalism in American Religion class last semester we discussed how it is important to respect even those we disagree with. Where am I going wrong here?
Respect those we disagree with? I don’t agree with that. I respect their right to live their life as they choose, as long as they don’t interfere with my freedoms. I will respect anyone that gives me the same respect in return.
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### Author:  [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/9 "2005-01-28T23:42:56Z")
Being obliged to respect an outlook one doesn’t share isn’t the same as condoning any action taken consistent with it. I may respect someone’s right to bizzare occult beliefs of dubious origin, but if someone claims those beliefs require them to ritually sacrifice a human being on the eve of the AFC Championship, I don’t have to accept it.
Ian Rand, IIRC, was the lesser known half brother who wrote the Objectivist spy novels…“Galt. John Galt.”
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### Author:  [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/10 "2005-01-28T23:46:46Z")
Ayn Ayn Ayn Ayn Ayn Rand
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/11 "2005-01-28T23:48:59Z")
> [@Roland Deschain](#):
>
> I resolve to use any method fair or fowl to pass to my classes.
I respect your right to _hold_ that opinion, but I hold absolutely no respect for that opinion itself, and have done my part in the past to see that incorrigible cheaters do **not** pass their courses or become licensed health professionals.
See the difference? 🙂
QtM, MD
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### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/12 "2005-01-28T23:49:26Z")
> [@pravnik](#):
>
> I may respect someone’s right to bizzare occult beliefs of dubious origin, but if someone claims those beliefs require them to ritually sacrifice a human being on the eve of the AFC Championship, I don’t have to accept it.
Well, see, it’s your fault the Steelers lost.
**Roland**? It’s Ayn Rand.
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### Author:  [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/13 "2005-01-28T23:49:47Z")
It’s A **y** n Rand. You know, with a ‘y’.
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/14 "2005-01-28T23:51:26Z")
Is it Ann Rand or Ayn Rand?
Thank you ?
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/15 "2005-01-28T23:52:48Z")
Unliscensed nurses…why does that sound porny?
😃
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### Author:  [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/16 "2005-01-28T23:52:51Z")
> [@pravnik](#):
>
> Being obliged to respect an outlook one doesn’t share isn’t the same as condoning any action taken consistent with it. I may respect someone’s right to bizzare occult beliefs of dubious origin, but if someone claims those beliefs require them to ritually sacrifice a human being on the eve of the AFC Championship, I don’t have to accept it.
ITL. Honestly **Roland** , did you think about this at all before you posted? This is basic stuff, like Old Navy basic.
> [@pravnik](#):
>
> Ian Rand, IIRC, was the lesser known half brother who wrote the Objectivist spy novels…“Galt. John Galt.”
_snort_
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/17 "2005-01-28T23:54:25Z")
Äyn Rand?
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### Author:  [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/18 "2005-01-28T23:54:41Z")
I heard somewhere that it was Ayn Rand, but for the life of me, I can’t remember where.
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### Author:  [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/19 "2005-01-28T23:55:46Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#):
>
> Is it Ann Rand or Ayn Rand?
>
> Thank you ?
Assuming this isn’t a whoosh, Ayn.
And it’s still Ayn if it is a whoosh, too!
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-also-have-to-respect-cheaters-and-sociopaths/287204/20 "2005-01-28T23:55:53Z")
Maybe you heard it in the Mariana’s Trench.
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