How come when someone does something different and not liked by others that person is called crazy?

Question

I will extend this question to the most unquestioned norms of society: murder, rape, polygamy, heroine usage, etc... I agree that these are things that many of us feel uncomfortable with and do not like. But just because someone else likes them and you dont, does that make that person wrong and crazy? Can't I like mushrooms and you don't, without me being crazy? Cant we just agree to disagree?

Answer 1

He who knows others is learned;
He who knows himself is wise.
Lao-Tzu

Answer 2

You are righ ton many point here, though you are mixing the topics of rationality and morality, which are often not in complete agreement.

Many of the answers here right touch on the issue of health and survival as these are an important part of the issue, yet in the case of rape, this answer breaks down on two sides into what is good for the individual vs what is good for society.

As a student of evolutionary anthropology, I will recount that rape is considered beneficial to the rapist while being detrimental to the victim and often to society.

In a similar fashion in the inverse case, heroic behaviors are often harmful to the individual yet beneficial to society.

So while certain actions may be rational at the time, they are often considered immoral because they are predatory or harmful to society at large.

As for being crazy or not, such things are often purely subjective because they are based on factors which others may not be aware of, and those factors may or may not be rational. When people see something they do not understand it cannot be rational because they do not have a framework of reference and so they tend to make the hasty conclusion that it is irrational behavior.

Many of the greatest minds of all time were considered crazy by many lessor minds.

Answer 3

We can agree to disagree on most things. But our society has chosen, through voting and representation, that certain behaviors will not be tolerated because of the destructive nature of the acts. These are well known, so someone who commits those acts knowingly, is making a decision that is not rational, and thus is often called crazy.
I agree crazy is not a good term to use for such things. While the person committing those acts may not be mentally ill, they are making bad decisions in the eyes of society, individuals, and the law. Most of us can call that crazy and understand what we mean by that.
Now, if you like vanilla and I like chocolate, that is not crazy by any stretch of the imagination. So if a person calls another person crazy for mere choices of personal taste, calling that person crazy is not rational, but narrow and judgemental.
Then there are the crazy drivers...

Answer 4

If being completely disconnected to reason, morality and empathy be considered normal and acceptable. Then so should Anarchy be and the crumbling of an organized society were every man woman and child live in constant fear. No extreme should be accepted good or bad. That's why we as a majority (mankind) look to a higher power for the answers in maintaining structure.

Answer 5

It's my theory that acts such murder, rape, etc. are considered taboo because they go against every survival instinct ingrained into the human brain. Not personal survival instinct, but that of the species as a whole. Your instincts should be to preserve the members of your species, and avoid any actions that could be detrimental to your society. So when someone behaves as if they have no such instincts, they are shunned as a danger to humankind.

Answer 6

You aren't going to believe me, but it's all about health. People want each other to be healthy to the core of themselves, and they just don't understand why people do things that seem contrary to perfect health. Why do people want each other to be healthy? Because they depend upon the productive efforts of every person! I need you to be productive so that I can get the things I need in a timely, efficient manner in order to be productive myself, just as you need me to be productive for the same reason. So, I guess it's all up to everybody...

Answer 7

I think that I can somewaht agree. I don't believe in rape & murder and things of that sort. Heroine addicts? Mushrooms? (btw are fun!) Well, if their not hurting anyone else then it shouldn't matter to anyone & it shouldn't matter to you what they think or say.

Answer 8

being yourself. should not involve inflicting harm on anyone else or yourself. we each have a responsibility to respect ourselves and each other. living in harmony and accepting each other would be a world of peace.

Answer 9

humorously, when you're rich, you become 'eccentric'. For now, welcome to the world.