MARK McGUIRE IS DELUDED

A delusion is a false belief that cannot be modified by reasoning or a demonstration of facts. Sometimes, delusions are a feature of psychosis, like paranoia. Sometimes they exist in a milder form in otherwise normal personalities, and while they remain entrenched, do not interfere with relationships or adversely affect a person's ability to manage daily life. We have all known people who believe things about themselves or others which are preposterous, and we have given up trying to convince them otherwise. (For example, an untalented writer may create a blog, thinking that he is performing a public service. Or an untrained and unlicensed person may attempt psychological diagnosis to try to impress others with his "insight".) As long as the delusions of others are not worrisome, they are minimized and dismissed as "quirks", superstitions, or oddities of other descriptions.
Now Mark McGuire presents himself in a prepared statement, and in a nationally televised interview with Bob Costas. The subject is his use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. His motivation, he says, is to "come clean" and to apologize. These are things which he says he was unable to do in the past. His admissions were unnecessary as historical data in the present, as no one needed confirmation that he had used steroids. If he thought his confession would be a revelation to anyone, even his family, about his behavior, he was wrong. In making his mea culpa, Mark McGuire's revelation is that he is delusional.
He said with sincerity that he used steroids for "health purposes", not to increase his strength. He said he used them to help him heal, and to prevent future injury. He implied that his use of steroids after being injured brought him back to "even", and did not enhance his performance. He said that his achievements on the field were a product of his God-given talent, hard work, and understanding of the science of hitting a baseball. He said these things with a straight face. He believed he was telling the truth. No one else does. His beliefs are his alone. They are his delusions.
By definition, he cannot abandon these delusions. Were they merely rationalizations for his conduct, he could renounce them. Had he misunderstood the nature of steroids, he could plead ignorance. Had they been given to him unsuspectedly, he could claim to have been a victim. But clearly, he has developed a delusional system to protect his ego and to maintain his psychological equilibrium.
Under these circumstances, how are we to respond to Mark McGuire? Is he more to be pitied than scolded? Is he to be forgiven? Is he to be dismissed as a unrepentant liar and cheat? Should we care about Mark McGuire at all?
I do care about McGuire. I hate his delusional guts.