in the marvel universe considering people like x-23 exist, who're basically tortured and brainwashed since birth to be weapons and anti-social, probably is way more personal responsibility there
though according to secret empire, even captain america could've been raised to be a nazi, so who knows
That's really hard to answer.
I can't say he deserves a free pass. But I think given the position he's in, it's almost hard not to imagine he would become a monster. There are heroes out there who are similar positions and have been able to avoid becoming monsters despite it... but heroes in general are extraordinary people. Sadly the averge guy might end up like Empath.
He is pretty much the worst of the original Hellions and manipulated them when he wanted to. Empath can be good when he wants to be but his powers have made him a sociopath similar to Purple Man although Empath is nearly as bad as him.
Most people that have mind control powers tend to be bad people. Let's face it, if most of us had mind control powers we'd probably abuse them.
That's the thing. He doesn't only get positive vibes from people. Often people react very negatively to what he does. He uses his powers to MAKE people give him positive vibes.But if he only gets positive vibes/signals from people then his whole conception of what is right and what's wrong is skewed