Lack of empathy is a genetic trait and one of the key components of being a psychopath (I know you mentioned sociopath). I have known families where that gene was passed down through the generations and it pops up on my moms side of the family from time to time. Some people are just born rotten and the best you can hope for is to get through to them enough to encourage them to manage it and realize their impulses arent healthy.
The ones that can manage it in a healthy way often end up being pretty successful in their chosen trade and can be a natural fit for C suite level positions or state/federal level politicians. The ones that don't manage it in a healthy way often find themselves in prison.
