Luigi Mangione: A Dark Empath in Action?

By weaponizing their empathy, dark empaths are capable of actions that blend charm and cruelty, often leaving their victims and observers confused about their true nature.

Luigi Mangione / Facebook (Left), NYPD Crime Stoppers (Right)

The assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthCare, sent shockwaves across the nation. The arrest of Luigi Mangione, a man from a privileged background with an Ivy League education, has further fueled intrigue. As the details of the case emerge, it becomes clear that Mangione’s psychological profile may fit the traits of a "dark empath." This concept describes individuals who blend cognitive empathy with manipulative or destructive tendencies, weaponizing emotional intelligence to serve darker purposes.

A Portrait of Privilege and Resentment

Mangione’s upbringing was one of extraordinary privilege. Born into a wealthy family, he attended elite private schools, where he excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian. He continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in engineering and information technology. By all accounts, Mangione epitomized the high-achieving professional with a promising career trajectory.

Yet beneath the veneer of success lay simmering discontent. Mangione’s manifesto, released on social media shortly before the assassination, reveals a deeply embittered worldview. He railed against corporate greed and systemic corruption, focusing his ire on the healthcare industry, which he blamed for exploiting vulnerable populations. In his writings, he singled out Brian Thompson as a symbol of this perceived injustice, justifying his violent act as a necessary corrective to systemic wrongs.

The Assassination: A Calculated Act or Purposeful Sloppiness?

The details of the crime suggest a blend of meticulous planning and puzzling lapses. Mangione traveled to New York City days before the assassination, checking into a hostel and surveilling the location of his intended target. On December 4, 2024, he approached Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, using a partially 3D-printed pistol equipped with a silencer. The weapon, identified as a modified FMDA 19.2 design, reflects Mangione’s technical expertise—a product of his engineering background.

The manner of the attack further underscores Mangione’s duality. Surveillance footage shows him manually cycling the weapon after each shot, compensating for apparent malfunctions. After firing multiple rounds, he fled the scene on an e-bike, navigating a pre-planned escape route through the city.

Despite this planning, Mangione left behind an unusual amount of evidence. Eyewitness accounts, clear footage from surveillance cameras, and digital breadcrumbs, including his manifesto, quickly led investigators to him. This raises a critical question: Was Mangione an amateur who underestimated the scope of modern forensic capabilities, or did he deliberately leave a trail to ensure his capture and the subsequent glorification of his act? The latter possibility aligns with a growing phenomenon where perpetrators seek to amplify their ideological messages by gaining notoriety through arrest.

Understanding the Dark Empath

The concept of the dark empath is relatively new in psychological discourse. Unlike traditional dark triad personalities—characterized by narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—dark empaths possess a high degree of cognitive empathy. They are adept at understanding and anticipating the emotions of others but lack the emotional resonance to feel compassion or remorse. This emotional detachment enables them to manipulate others or justify harmful actions.

As I wrote in my book, “The Advent of Feral Man”, people displaying the dark traits are more likely to be male and younger. They tend to be motivated by power, use sex as a tool, and have conspicuous consumption. This group of traits is also linked with selfishness and immature defense styles, as well as a lack of compassion, empathy, and conscientiousness. A study of high school students (Chabrol et al., 2015) found that students with dark tetrad traits displayed the most antisocial behaviors. Concerningly, they also had elevated levels of suicidal ideation. People with dark triad personality traits are more likely to commit crimes, cause social distress, and create problems in the workplace. Internet trolling and mob or group criminal behavior has been linked to dark traits. The dark traits can be fueled by deindividuation, group identity, group acceptability, anonymity, and diffusion of responsibility.

Psychological research into dark empaths has identified several common traits:

1. Cognitive Empathy Paired with Emotional Detachment: Dark empaths excel at reading others’ emotions and intentions. However, they do not share these feelings, allowing them to exploit interpersonal dynamics without guilt or hesitation.

2. Sense of Moral Superiority: They often frame their actions as justified, guided by a self-imposed moral code that supersedes conventional ethics. This trait is evident in Mangione’s manifesto, where he rationalized his violent act as a response to systemic injustice.

3. Charismatic Manipulation: Dark empaths can be highly persuasive. Their ability to connect with others emotionally while remaining detached themselves gives them an edge in influencing and controlling social interactions.

4. Strategic Thinking with Impulsive Undertones: They often exhibit a mix of meticulous planning and impulsive decision-making, as seen in Mangione’s calculated surveillance juxtaposed with the amateurish execution of his escape.

By weaponizing their empathy, dark empaths are capable of actions that blend charm and cruelty, often leaving their victims and observers confused about their true nature.

Amateurish Execution or Deliberate Exhibitionism?

While Mangione’s technical expertise and careful pre-planning suggest a methodical mind, his execution was riddled with amateurish errors. The weapon malfunctioned multiple times, forcing manual cycling. His escape, though pre-planned, left ample evidence for law enforcement to trace him. Moreover, his online activity, including the manifesto, provided a direct link to his motivations and identity.

These missteps may reflect Mangione’s inexperience with violent crime. As a first-time offender, he might have underestimated the complexities of executing a flawless assassination. Alternatively, these errors could have been intentional, aimed at ensuring his capture. By leaving a trail, Mangione may have sought to draw attention to his manifesto and ideology, amplifying the impact of his act through media coverage and public discourse.

This duality—a blend of precision and apparent carelessness—hints at a complex psychological profile. It suggests a calculated willingness to sacrifice personal freedom for the perceived greater good of his cause.

Progressive Idolization: A Dangerous Trend

In the wake of Mangione’s arrest, segments of the progressive left have lauded him as a martyr for anti-corporate activism. Social media platforms are rife with posts casting him as a hero who dared to challenge systemic power. This glorification, however, risks normalizing violence as a form of political expression.

Such idolization is deeply problematic. It not only undermines the moral legitimacy of genuine activism but also emboldens individuals like Mangione who might see violence as a viable means of enacting change. The tendency to romanticize figures who commit heinous acts—provided their motivations align with certain ideological frameworks—reflects a troubling moral relativism.

A Broader Context of Radicalization

Mangione’s descent into violence cannot be viewed in isolation. It is part of a larger trend of ideological radicalization facilitated by online echo chambers. Platforms that amplify extremist rhetoric and validate grievances play a crucial role in shaping individuals like Mangione. His manifesto reveals not just personal discontent, but a worldview shaped by selective exposure to anti-corporate and anti-establishment narratives.

The technical aspects of the assassination also point to the growing intersection of radical ideologies and emerging technologies. The use of 3D-printed firearms, for instance, highlights the accessibility of tools that can facilitate acts of violence. This convergence of ideology and technology poses significant challenges for law enforcement and counter-radicalization efforts.

Lessons from the Case

The case of Luigi Mangione offers several key lessons:

1. Recognizing Dark Empath Traits: Understanding the psychological profiles of individuals like Mangione can aid in early identification and intervention. Traits such as cognitive empathy coupled with ideological fanaticism should raise red flags.

2. Addressing Online Radicalization: The role of digital platforms in fostering radicalization cannot be overstated. Efforts to monitor and counter extremist narratives must be a priority for both tech companies and policymakers.

3. Rejecting Glorification of Violence: Society must resist the temptation to romanticize figures who commit acts of violence, regardless of their stated motivations. Doing so only perpetuates a cycle of extremism and retribution.

Conclusion: Ideological Extremism and the Path Forward

The case of Luigi Mangione underscores the dangers of ideological extremism when coupled with traits of the dark empath. His calculated yet flawed actions highlight the duality of precision and carelessness, pointing to a mind both strategic and emotionally detached. As society grapples with the implications of this case, it becomes essential to understand and address the psychological, technological, and cultural forces that drive individuals toward such acts. By fostering a culture of accountability, rejecting the glorification of violence, and enhancing counter-radicalization efforts, we can better safeguard against the emergence of future dark empaths who weaponize ideology for destructive ends.