Discuss Definition of insanity

[holsam_87]

I also view insanity like that. However, I'm aware that breaking my negative habits will be a process.

[Kelyn]

I think the key here is that insanity is defined as "doing the same things in the same way and EXPECTING a different outcome." Just doing things repetitively does not denote insanity. It's the expecting different results part that makes it problematic.

[HRichards]

The direct quote from Einstein: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." The author may not have been aware of how close it was to his (or he did, and chose not to cite it).

I didn't realize that quote came from Einstein and I've heard if forever!

[ObsessedBookNerd]

In one way I agree with the author but in another I don't. When you are trying to get better/learn something is what I disagree with because as you keep doing something you probably could get better at it, then the results will be different. I personally think insanity is to keep doing something that makes you unhappy to the point that you feel suicidal.

[dreamthewilderness]

I agree that this is a symptom of insanity, but I wouldn't call it a definition. There are many ways insanity expresses itself, and repeating the same strategy while expecting different results is only one.

[Juddabell_Dixon]

Based upon my life and the people I have had the pleasure of being involved with, I do not fully agree with this idea of insanity. There are things in life that you cannot change nor prevent and there is not always a way to get around it. Yes you can change your perspective on the issue ;knowing there will always be another obstacle and train yourself to power through it just to accomplish a goal that may have not been worth all you had to lose to get there.

[Mouricia Allen]

I have always been annoyed by people who do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. I believe that change is constant, and the only way to have something different happen is to start doing something different.

[Sweetp120]

i agree. I fully feel that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, and the fact that it doesn't work. The best physical symbol in my opinion is a hamster wheel. because there's only one way the wheel moves and it only moves when the hamster makes it move.

[jhalwix]

While doing the same thing over and over might be the definition of insanity, it's very hard to change that until someone can come up with a solid backup plan.

[Ice dragon]

My old law teacher defined insanity as; the evil man will cut someone's head off to kill them, the insane man will cut someone's head off and attempt to stick it back on, before turning his attention back to his day.

[McKadeemd]

I do agree with the author, although I think it is situational. If you are doing the same thing over and over again, and you are not seeing the desired results, then yes, a change has to be made to get different results. On the other hand, if you are doing something over and over again and it's working well, then I would not consider it insane to continue doing the same thing. Repetition in of itself does not denote insanity.

[booklysis]

That is in fact the technical definition of insanity. The point is that you will keep experiencing the same discouragement, failure etc. If you do not learn from the experience. The outcome will not be the positive one that you want it to be. It takes action and choice/ decision to change your life and make a difference.

Doing the same thing is surely going to lead to same results. So, as a matter of fact I agree with Sakilunamermaid. Too right!

[Fozia-Bajwa]

yes i know it is insanity to do the same things over and over again and wanting the different results is like to link it with a mental person who cannot think in a normal way.

[JordanKSmith]

I am going to agree and disagree. Can I do that? I see repeated behaviors that are seemingly unsupported by facts as a part of the brain's debugging program to try to make reality clearer.

I see insanity as believing anything that contradicts reality. By that definition, I suppose that we are all insane. We are just insane in different areas and to different degrees. From my perspective, life is a continual process of trying to gain focus on what reality is. Sometimes, that requires walking into the same wall a few times.

When someone stubbornly believes something or acts in an illogical way, they often seem to have some internal, primal need that is lodged within that repeated behavior. It is almost a willing ignorance; a refusal to look at a fact so that they can continue to support that unknown or hidden need. In those cases, it can sometimes be pain rather than insanity.

If that is true, then we should all question repeated behaviors that keep failing to bring desired results. What lies are we each believing? What needs are being supported through those repeated behaviors?

I could be wrong. It might even be likely. I don't know anything about psychology.

[Jdalba2018]

Of course, everything will be the same if nothing is changed