Consider this definition of insanity?

Another theory is that we are all just parts of the same being of "ALL", the ancient civilizations called it aether. That we all perceive what we perceive because we are the aether's attempt to figure out itself. We all just live out our experiences here, and when we die we disseminate to the source of aether and unload our experiences. It enhances it's "understanding" of the universe, then returns you with a basic "instinct", if you will. So that you can do it all over again on a clean slate. All other things that you come into contact with were put here by the source in order to see things from a different perspective and/or to aid you in figuring things out through your life. You only come into contact with those that would help you to your understanding of what you were sent here to figure out.

So who is to say you would choose an alternate reality and are viewed to be insane for no reason? You were sent here to understand that aspect of this life, so the source can fix the things that are wrong. It kind of explains a lot if you look at it this way. (you of course have to view religion as a good idea but not how it really is, just like Santa Clause if not then this would make no sense to you, but you don't really make a lot of sense to me. To me you appear insane, no communication on that level.)

In short and basically - CS Lewis said insanity is for the mathematicians and scientist who try to get the clouds in their heads - while the artist and the child are content to keep their heads in the clouds.

Since you can't do one but can do the other - it is insane to spend years or even a lifetime trying to do that which cannot be done.

While the artist/philosopher in me applauds these kinds of exercises and finds them interesting, the reasoning thinker in me disagrees. There is in fact only ONE reality - that which was, and is, and will be. Our perception of that reality doesn't change the reality.

Perhaps you talked to 5 people who all saw a green car hit a pole.

The 1st says "Funniest thing... that lime colored car came out of nowhere and just hit the pole."

The 2nd says "What the hey - that emerald color car lost control and smash into the pole"

The 3rd says "Unbelievable! Bright green sedan! Pole! Bang!

The 4th one says "It liked to scared me to death, I started to cry when that pretty green auto just slammed into that tall wooden thingy"

The 5th says "the purple truck hit a fence to avoid the dog on rollerskates."

The reality is a green car hit a pole, people's perceptions and reactions may differ a little but if they are not perceiving the reality of the situation with some clarity - there is a problem.

In order to tackle this matter properly i think you first have to define what "normal";sanity really is. Dictionary meaning of normal: 'conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.' Everyone can read this as it is, but they percive the meaning differently because it failed to explain the "standard", it didnt actually fail, the "standard" cant be defined universally at the first place, because we all think different, we are unique in different ways, etc. So it is actually impossible to define "standard" or "common type". Dictionary meaning doesnt help at all.

The word normal, sanity, etc, are subjective, which means what may be normal for me may sound insane to you. We all create different realities upto a certain point, if that(different realities) cant be reconciled with other realities then it is considered "insane".

I do not believe anyone is "insane", even those people in mental ward, in their perspective we might appear insane. We just have different realities(in this case huge difference), we just consider something "insane" only when our reality conflicts others'.

You think someone is a nice person. I think they are cruel because I know some things that they have. We do not share the same reality with respect to the hypothetical person. By your construction, I would be insane or you would be insane because our realities don't coincide.

If more people (the shared reality) agreed with me then you would be the insane one for not adopting the shared reality about the person.

So no, I cannot agree with this interpretation for reality and insanity.

Saneness is a judgment about a person and that is usually done from a deliberative thought process by one person and of another person.

If by chance, I were upset, working on a problem, or otherwise distracted and not communicating with others, I could be construed as being insane for not sharing the common reality when in fact, I might just be planning how to deal with a particularly challenging situation.

I started reading your question and it is very much in line with the model of things I usually refer to in my YA answers.

I do not know if we create our own realities but any shared realities that we did make would have the problems you talk about.

I suspect what you are saying is much like I have described in my other YA so look through them if you like.

Insanity is a subjective and prejudicial label given to that which is not understood.Many pay homage to the goal of exploring and understanding "insanity",but this mind in an abstract reality honestly questions their motives.Who's to say that what we perceive as Normal is actually,normal?Common consensus?That which is easier to explain in theory,or that which can be explained in proven scientific fact?Who decides?What qualifications do these people have to decide what is reality or insanity when it comes to other people.I,personally see it as a self serving GOD complex,I'm right,You are wrong .I digress,Just some personal thoughts .I hope I have given you some food for thought.God bless,good luck,and PEACE!

HOWDY!!! leilei_70,

Yes I believe that you are on the right track, and you are not insane. I Love your thoughts on insanity because it makes a lot of since to me.

STAY SAFE!!!

Bulldog

Well thanks and that's probably why I see green men on space ships. Smile and the world smiles with you. Now I see reptiles in capes....What will be the next reality?

If a person has to ask himself if he's insane, he probably isn't.