Hi David Lind and all,
DAVID L.
> Jonathan - I disagree with your statement "The insane are people whose
> value system causes suffering TO THEMSELVES" If I prefer having
> sexual relations with other men, but I live in a homophobic society -
> my value system is gonna cause me suffering. Not because I'm "insane"
> - but because my values are in conflict with greater society's.
David, there's no need to disagree because I think that our views are completely
compatible.
Your value system can cause you suffering precisely BECAUSE it is in conflict
with society.
(Don't social norms drive you crazy sometimes!)
DAVID L.:
> I still defy anyone to define "insanity" (it doesn't exist). There are
> people. Each acts in their own way. When you get enough people
> together, a "general acceptance" of what is right and normal appears.
> Is there really a "normal"? No. Just the appearance of normal.
> Therefore, is there an abnormal? How can there be an "abnormal" if
> that would be "other than what is 'normal' and there is no normal?"?
David, I assure you that "insanity" does exist. On the assumption that you read
ZAMM, try substituting the word Quality to see what I mean!
> A semi related thought....And what if the "misfitting" causes no
> pain? What if the catatonic schizophrenic is perfectly comfortable
> within their inner hideaway? Back to homosexuality - at one point the
> DSM (the mental health "bible") listed homosexuality as a mental
> illness. Then that was changed to only include those homosexuals who
> were "troubled" by being homosexual. But since they could only be
> troubled by their homosexuality relative to the society they lived in,
> that was also removed.
>
David, we agree completely.
JONATHAN (from the same post you quoted):
>The individual whose philosophy is in conflict with the realities of everyday
>life suffers greatly.
Those "realities of everyday life" with which the individual has to contend
fully include the social values that surround him. Misfits often escape by
becoming hermits or by running away, and many of them thus find happiness. I see
nothing insane about that. The people we normally consider insane are people who
are completely unable to function under what we consider to be "normal"
conditions.
> Shalom
May it really be so . .
Jonathan
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