A Normal Mind

[tbieter]

“The philosophy of common sense is a set of truths which can be obtained without any technically elaborated apparatus and which are actually possessed , in varying degree of clarity and intensity, by every normal mind. But in order that the mind should actually possess cognitions normally accessible to it, many conditions are required and it is not certain - at least, it is not obvious - that all these conditions are realized in most cases. Besides the unqualifiedly pathological cases, in which the working of reason is impaired by organic or psychological disturbances, a man whose mind has not been regularly trained toward truth by an appropriate education - a man in whom moral debasement affects the lucidity of understanding; most of all, a man born in a social environment saturated with error - fails to satisfy the conditions required for the full possession of common sense. Philosophers are not the only ones to whom it happens that common sense is lost. It is impossible to rule out a priori the possibility of a society in which the sense of freedom would be weakened or impaired in most persons. A fatalistic religion, the belief in the universal influence of magical causality, or the habit of servitude may well bring about such a situation.” Yves Simon, Freedom of Choice, p. 94

I have always been skeptical about the quick attribution of mental illness to the actor involved in some outrageous incident. Recently, many have said that Rachel Dolezal, who was born of white parents, but has posed as a black person, must be mentally ill.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Dolezal
And then, similarly, there are people who claim that they are vampires!
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/4 ... rimination
Instead of an accusation of mental illness, Professor Simon, in his classic study, would assert that they lack common sense and a normal mind.

I solicit your thoughts on the notion of "a normal mind."

[tbieter]

What is a mlnd that is not normal, but is not properly considered as diseased?

[HexHammer]

Mad ramblings..

[Dalek Prime]

Where on the scale do you suppose you fit into this, Hex?

[Dalek Prime]

What is a mlnd that is not normal, but is not properly considered as diseased?

Aren't you supposed to start that sentence with "Riddle me this, Batman!" And before you say it, I'm well aware, and happy, to not have a "normal" mind. Talk about mundane.

[Kayla]

people attribute all sorts of things to common sense

so saying something is common sense is not saying much

mixed-race marriage once went against common sense

heck i have heard someone say that effectiveness of homeopathy is just common sense

[Dalek Prime]

people attribute all sorts of things to common sense

so saying something is common sense is not saying much

mixed-race marriage once went against common sense

heck i have heard someone say that effectiveness of homeopathy is just common sense

Common sense, if not rationally critiqued rather than just swallowed as truth, is common ignorance.

[Dubious]

What is a mlnd that is not normal, but is not properly considered as diseased?

Based on my experience with philosophy forums and many I've had the unfortunate pleasure to meet in life, it's the normal that ain't normal if "normal" means a state of balance.

[tbieter]

What is a mlnd that is not normal, but is not properly considered as diseased?

Consider
“The philosophy of common sense is a set of truths which can be obtained without any technically elaborated apparatus and which are actually possessed , in varying degree of clarity and intensity, by every normal mind. p. 94

In rough outline it can be said that common sense comprises three kinds of propositions: propositions of philosophic character which are starting points of every philosophy and every science; propositions dictated by the leanings of the imagination, and proprositions expressing a practical vision of the physical world." p. 84
When the man of normal mind marked by common sense that has been acquired from experience is confronted by the claim that a living human being is also a vampire, his mind spontaneously encounters contradiction. How can a living human being also be a corpse at the same time and in the same respect?

Without any hesitation, he rejects the claim and moves on.

law of contradiction
noun, Logic.
1.
the law that a proposition cannot be both true and false or that a thing cannot both have and not have a given property.

vampire
1.
a preternatural being, commonly believed to be a reanimated corpse, that is said to suck the blood of sleeping persons at night.
2.
(in Eastern European folklore) a corpse, animated by an undeparted soul or demon, that periodically leaves the grave and disturbs the living, until it is exhumed and impaled or burned.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/4 ... rimination

[Hobbes' Choice]

“The philosophy of common sense is a set of truths which can be obtained without any technically elaborated apparatus and which are actually possessed , in varying degree of clarity and intensity, by every normal mind. But in order that the mind should actually possess cognitions normally accessible to it, many conditions are required and it is not certain - at least, it is not obvious - that all these conditions are realized in most cases. Besides the unqualifiedly pathological cases, in which the working of reason is impaired by organic or psychological disturbances, a man whose mind has not been regularly trained toward truth by an appropriate education - a man in whom moral debasement affects the lucidity of understanding; most of all, a man born in a social environment saturated with error - fails to satisfy the conditions required for the full possession of common sense. Philosophers are not the only ones to whom it happens that common sense is lost. It is impossible to rule out a priori the possibility of a society in which the sense of freedom would be weakened or impaired in most persons. A fatalistic religion, the belief in the universal influence of magical causality, or the habit of servitude may well bring about such a situation.” Yves Simon, Freedom of Choice, p. 94

I have always been skeptical about the quick attribution of mental illness to the actor involved in some outrageous incident. Recently, many have said that Rachel Dolezal, who was born of white parents, but has posed as a black person, must be mentally ill.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Dolezal
And then, similarly, there are people who claim that they are vampires!
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/4 ... rimination
Instead of an accusation of mental illness, Professor Simon, in his classic study, would assert that they lack common sense and a normal mind.

I solicit your thoughts on the notion of "a normal mind."

The quote you linked is not talking about 'mental illness'- far from it. The quote talks about a lack of mental discipline, a lack of common sense amongst those, not adequately educated, to be capable of discriminating between reasonable conclusions, and those mediated by religion, superstition, and servility..
Rather than enjoying an education which encourages independent reason, it points to followers of unreason by the otherwise mentally healthy.
Normality is not part of that offering, but if it were the quote is remarking on the abuse of mentally sound persons who, for several reason believe, rather than know.

Perfectly sane persons are willing to believe that a man hung from a cross, and slashed in the side to be drained of blood managed not only to walk out of a tomb after 3 days, but also ascend into heaven. As far as I can tell - for the last 2000 years this has mostly been seen as perfectly "Normal".
The big question would be how and why such people still today allow themselves a belief in this obvious fantasy. There are plenty of persons on this Forum who accept this as truth. I suggest you focus your attention on them without suggesting that they might not be mentally sound. What makes belief enough? What makes it acceptable?

But I would go further. I'd ask what warrant people have to believe in "Englishness" or "Evil". These are also constructions of the mind only having value because they are widely held beliefs; idols of the tribe.

[HexHammer]

Where on the scale do you suppose you fit into this, Hex?

In average I might be around 4, but in logical matters 8.
You guys in logical matters are ..0.0000001

[Dalek Prime]

Where on the scale do you suppose you fit into this, Hex?

In average I might be around 4, but in logical matters 8.
You guys in logical matters are ..0.0000001

That's alright. I've learned to.maximize what 'little' I have to greater efficiency than the average lazy genius.... That's "on average", btw, not 'in'...

[HexHammer]

Where on the scale do you suppose you fit into this, Hex?

In average I might be around 4, but in logical matters 8.
You guys in logical matters are ..0.0000001

That's alright. I've learned to.maximize what 'little' I have to greater efficiency than the average lazy genius.... That's "on average", btw, not 'in'...

Thought you left for good?

[artisticsolution]

Thought you left for good?

This reminds me of the time I went to play Texas Hold'em at one of my neighborhood casinos. I was at a table where a whole group of men knew each other and played everyday.

One of the men went all in only to lose the hand. He got very upset and threw his cards across the table as he was out of the game. As he left the table, he yelled, "I'M NEVER PLAYING HERE AGAIN!"

The other men at the table just laughed and said, "SEE YA TOMORROW, JOE!"

[Dalek Prime]

I cared enough to inform my findings concerning Bill, for anyone who gave a shit. And if you.lot would stop trying to get the last word in, I'd be done.

Mind you, I might wish to discuss Metzinger, once I've finished reading him. So I'll just add, "See you tomorrow, Josephine!"