|
psende -> RE: Are we really sane? (4/22/2008 1:23:52 PM)
|
quote:
"My feeling is that sanity is actually a pretence, a way we learn to behave. We keep this pretence up because we don't want to be rejected by other people-and being classified insane is to be shut out of the group in a very complete way." [Keith Johnstone]
It sounds like Mr. Johnstone is attempting to shed societal restraints in order to justify acting and speaking in whatever manner he finds pleasing to himself.
"Normal" behavior and thought patterns vary greatly and some are considered to be "eccentric." But these are not insanities, they are just things that need to be kept in check for the well-being of society. However, there are folks who are crazy--mentally ill--insane, whose behaviors and thought patterns are so outside the norm as to limit the person's ability to function within acceptable limits, especially in the presence of others.
I was once stabbed by a young man who received "radio messages in [his] brain." This same man was absolutely convinced that a woman I worked with had deficated on him by telepathic means and he would seek to do her harm whenever he saw her. And I've known many like him over the years.
My guess is that after a day or two of interaction with a room full of these folks, Mr. Johnstone would be thankful for his sanity--pretense or not--and be happy society has its range of acceptable behavior.
|
|
|
|