Do you think the two exist simultaneously?
If you have any examples, I'd appreciate seeing them :)
2007-09-13 02:49:00 · 19 answers · asked by Holiday Magic 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Hotboi23: Are you saying that I know an abundance of insanity--yet not a genius among them? lol
2007-09-13 08:56:33 · update #1
Pick any mental illness and we can point to some genius or, at minimum, someone world famous, that suffered from it. For example, Edgar Allan Poe suffered from depression. Abraham Lincoln was bipolar. The list goes on and on.
"Insanity" is the word you use for a mental illness that has caused bad consequences, just like you say an enemy is "fat" but a friend "needs to lose a few pounds." So, no, genius doesn't have to be linked with the bad aspects fo mental illness but it is definitely linked to eccentricity and, in an extreme, some of the excentricities are in the mental illness range.
I know a nationally recognized expert in forensic science and he's a genius, no doubt about it, but he's so eccentric that some may think he's crazy. He may know more than anyone else about some aspects of forensic science but he never learned some of the most basic of social skills. It's kind of sad, really, because he's mentioned that I have a gift for making friends easily and he said it sadly, like he envied me.
The fact is, I cultivated my social skills and, yes, do make friends easily. But it's like gardening, he's spent all his energy cultiviating his status in the forensic science field and he's got prize winning results but you can't raise tomatoes if you're spending all your time, energy and money on raising the prize winning roses.
Does that make any sense? Sometimes geniuses spend all their time, energy and money in that area that makes them a genius and they neglect the rest of the garden. So that makes them appear crazy.
2007-09-13 03:19:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
the thin line between insanity and genius? Is the end line. extremely in spite of the incontrovertible fact that i think of not. Genius & insanity look close by way of fact we understand neither. the reality is in spite of the incontrovertible fact that that the Genius is conscious some thing we don't, collectively as the Madman does not understand some thing we do. The evidence is interior the doing. on the top of the day, in case you throw the change and invisible waves carry your voice around the planet, you're a genius. The 'skinny' line is the end line.
2016-10-10 12:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by bonura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a very thin line. I have an IQ that was measured by Mensa as being in the top 2% of the world but I can't manage to run a checking account smoothly or keep my bills where I can see them until payday. (Think: absent-minded professor type)
As I always say to people, if genius lies on the borderline of insanity then I'm a tightrope walker.
2007-09-13 03:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by John R 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that genius can lead to insanity but then you seize being a genius - the two cannot co-exist, like when John Nash is in his schizo period he starts spending all his time on non-existing national security problems.
Other disabilities such as autism and asberger's syndrome however have fostered many geniuses, such as the Danish nuclear physics professor Holger Bech Nielsen who wouldn't be able to handle a normal day without help from his wife and if it wasn't for his field of expertise he would be in a home for people with disabilities.
2007-09-13 03:21:33 · answer #4 · answered by evaz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no great genius without some touch of madness.
Seneca, Epistles
Roman dramatist, philosopher, & politician (5 BC - 65 AD)
There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.
Oscar Levant
(1906 - 1972)
DE
2007-09-13 04:15:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually the line between genius and insanity is relatively thick. Just how many geniuses do you know? Not many.
2007-09-13 02:56:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Genius: The knowledge far exceeding moderation.
Insanity: The corruption of ones mind.
A mix of the two ='s retards like Voldamort, Orichimaru, Bush, Victor Frankenstein and so on
but they have always existed separatly. It only becomes a mix if the idiot uses his knowledge in harmony with his sick ideas
2007-09-13 03:07:46 · answer #7 · answered by Suki 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it is about 5mm across.
it would all depend on what the definition of 'insane' is. people thought others were insane, but they just thought ahead of thier time. the first example i can think of is Leonardo DaVinci, while not exactly held as 'insane' they did think he was a bit crazy.
but others i can think of (but can't really support it)
Albert Einstien, Adlof Hitler (yes, really him, more on the insane part), Stephen Hawkings......
sorry my brain is a little fuzzy right now, i can't seem to generate enough thought (just woke up)
2007-09-13 03:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by Camron S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think genius is coming up with ideas that no one else is having at the time, but insanity is when the ideas are just silly
2007-09-13 02:56:25 · answer #9 · answered by fpa06mr 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am with History man on this one.
The line is fine
I can touch on the edge of lunacy one minute and genius the next.
2007-09-13 08:06:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋