Ok, Is there really such a thing as a pathological liar? is an old column, but CNN has an article that I think is a bit germane. Check out Los Angeles judge removed from bench for lying about background . Part of his defense was a claim of “pseudologia fantastica,” and he even had a psychologist testify for him before a hearing of the California Commission on Judicial Performance to that effect. The Commission didn’t buy it, however. In fact they said:
Also, it appears that pseudologia fantastica is an attempt to explain why a person lies in a way that does not directly promote his or her self-interests. The reasons for Judge Couwenberg’s misrepresentations, however, are self-evident. He misrepresented his qualifications in order to become a judge, to maintain the false premise which appears to have been critical to his judicial appointment, and to frustrate the commission’s investigation. As Judge Couwenberg’s misrepresentations were clearly calculated to advance his self-interests, a theory aimed at explaining why a person lies in a way that does not obviously advance the person’s self-interests has no application.
cite is available here.
Just thought some might find it interesting.
Other than giving me a headache trying to read your cite, I certainly enjoyed your find.
samclem , thanks for the kind words. I thought it was relevant to Cecil’s column. Especially since, to use his terminology, a “lying sack” was attempting to convince his colleagues that he was a “pathetic loser”.