- #1
z4955
- 111
- 0
what is normal?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the concept of "normal" in various contexts, exploring its definitions, implications, and the subjective nature of normality across different cultures, time periods, and individual experiences. Participants examine situational, historical, and cultural norms, as well as the influence of media on perceptions of normality.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that normal is a general, accepted standard that varies by context, such as situational norms versus historical norms.
- Others argue that normality is subjective and influenced by individual upbringing and cultural background, leading to different interpretations of what is considered normal.
- A viewpoint is presented that normal is shaped by societal standards, with the media playing a significant role in defining what is perceived as normal.
- Some participants challenge the idea that normal equates to majority behavior, asserting that just because many people engage in an activity does not make it inherently normal.
- There is a discussion about the moral implications of actions deemed normal, with some asserting that societal norms can be wrong despite being widely accepted.
- Participants explore the idea that normality can change over time and that historical practices, once considered normal, may not align with contemporary values.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the definition of normal. There are multiple competing views regarding the nature of normality, its relation to morality, and the influence of societal standards versus individual essence.
Contextual Notes
Discussions involve various assumptions about the nature of normality, including its dependence on cultural and situational contexts, as well as the influence of historical perspectives. The conversation reflects a range of interpretations without resolving these complexities.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts of social norms, cultural studies, psychology, and philosophy, particularly in relation to how individuals and societies define and perceive normality.
- #2
dekoi
Normal is a general, accepted standard.
- #3
gazzo
- 174
- 0
but then there are different kinds of normality isn't there?
It's "normal" to go running in shortshorts and a singlet, but it's not "normal" to go to a bussiness meeting in them.
It was normal for people back in the middle ages to carry swords and speak old english, but not normal for people today?
hmm. situational norms? historical norms?
It's "normal" to go running in shortshorts and a singlet, but it's not "normal" to go to a bussiness meeting in them.
It was normal for people back in the middle ages to carry swords and speak old english, but not normal for people today?
hmm. situational norms? historical norms?
- #4
3mpathy
- 79
- 0
im guessing situational normals, since histroy can be thought of as a bunch of situations. "Normal is a general, accepted standard."+that humans think of for that perticular time/place.
- #5
honestrosewater
Gold Member
- 2,133
- 6
Overrated.
- #6
tph666
- 12
- 0
What is normal to you is not normal to me.Everybody has a diffrent look at normal.Its what ever is normal to you.You see kid from the inner city,i would say a kid on a farm would not think that's normal.normal is what you see as normal
- #7
Artorius
- 38
- 1
Culture establishes what is normal, and the forces that drive the concept of "normality" to an individual include, in order of most to least affect, the immediate family, the extended family, the community, and the society (although in many instances today, the media plays the most important role of all in transmitting "normal" 
).
).- #8
MR
- 16
- 0
average, according to your upbringing, RARELY synonymous with "good" or "proper"
BTW--what difference does it make? If it's just to define a word, a fun one to work on is "is"
BTW--what difference does it make? If it's just to define a word, a fun one to work on is "is"
- #9
RAD4921
- 346
- 1
Normal
There are different kinds of "normals" or what some call standards.
When referring to issues involving people, normals are standards set by the society one is lives in or abides to.
Normal for women in Arab conuntries is to keep covered and play a low keyed role in society.
Someone of "normal' weight is one who is not too fat or skinny. Many hundreds of years ago women who are considered obese by todays standards were considered beautiful then and were often portrayed in paintings.
Normal conditions in a spaceship in when everything appears to be running right. Normal weather conditions refer to average temperatures, rainfall ext..
the term "normal" is ften used very loosley since a lot of times it is subjective/
There are different kinds of "normals" or what some call standards.
When referring to issues involving people, normals are standards set by the society one is lives in or abides to.
Normal for women in Arab conuntries is to keep covered and play a low keyed role in society.
Someone of "normal' weight is one who is not too fat or skinny. Many hundreds of years ago women who are considered obese by todays standards were considered beautiful then and were often portrayed in paintings.
Normal conditions in a spaceship in when everything appears to be running right. Normal weather conditions refer to average temperatures, rainfall ext..
the term "normal" is ften used very loosley since a lot of times it is subjective/
- #10
scienceguy
- 12
- 0
There is no such thing as normal. Normal is a term made and spread by the media to homogenize(?) society. We are plagued by this sense of normality. This quest of seeming normal is just a way for people to feel accepted and feel like part of a group.
My philosophy is not to let the media dictate your definition of normal. Each person should have their own definition of normal, like how many people have different definitions of god. What do you guys think?
My philosophy is not to let the media dictate your definition of normal. Each person should have their own definition of normal, like how many people have different definitions of god. What do you guys think?
- #11
abitofnothingleft
- 67
- 0
gazzo said:but then there are different kinds of normality isn't there?
It's "normal" to go running in shortshorts and a singlet, but it's not "normal" to go to a bussiness meeting in them.
It was normal for people back in the middle ages to carry swords and speak old english, but not normal for people today?
hmm. situational norms? historical norms?
the norms change as society changes...back then it was also normal to receive a flogging when you did something wrong...now it's illegal.
- #12
AiA
- 103
- 0
There is a norm
When you say what is normal every one responds with "whats normal now or to you isn't normal for me or back then." But there is a standard, normality of what a human is is not dependent on person or persons but man itself, and man (which is normal) is eternal, eternal in the sense of its essence. So when you ask "What is normal?" Normal is being a good human, being a good man.
When you say what is normal every one responds with "whats normal now or to you isn't normal for me or back then." But there is a standard, normality of what a human is is not dependent on person or persons but man itself, and man (which is normal) is eternal, eternal in the sense of its essence. So when you ask "What is normal?" Normal is being a good human, being a good man.
- #13
abitofnothingleft
- 67
- 0
wait...okay then how where people back then...in the "old times" good when they whipped and tortured people...? are you saying that those people arent normal?
- #14
AiA
- 103
- 0
people who ripped and tortured were not normal, they were doing evil when they should of (in order to fulfil the norm of man) done good and imbrace those that they were torturing. It may of appeared to be normal back then, but just because they perceive what is right that doesn't actually make it right.
- #15
abitofnothingleft
- 67
- 0
okay but what they were doing back then, was normal to everyone else there...correct? it was the usual punishment for a crime, etc. right? so everyone thought it was normal...so it was normal back then...? right? so why are people thinking that things we do now are normal? maybe what we do now isn't really normal like we think it is...does that make sense? 
- #16
AiA
- 103
- 0
Todays society is mostly governed by the media and is persuaded by media, hence what media is is "normal", today that is true, culturally that is true. But living by media standards is not normal cause its wrong, so back then, though they perceived it as "normal", it was wrong, and the norm of what a human is is not wrong, so then that isn't normal.
If you want to go more indepth and look at it sychologically, today allot of people do what they do cause its easier, people spend countless hours watching TV, this is "normal", they do this to escape reality, to escape using body and mind, this we know is wrong yet "normally" that is what happens. the "norm" today is that porn is ok, but is this really normal or morally and sychologically wrong, so to say this is "normal" is pretty much saying, this is what everyone is doing, so let's accept it and call it "normal", do you not see the fallacy in that.
If you want to go more indepth and look at it sychologically, today allot of people do what they do cause its easier, people spend countless hours watching TV, this is "normal", they do this to escape reality, to escape using body and mind, this we know is wrong yet "normally" that is what happens. the "norm" today is that porn is ok, but is this really normal or morally and sychologically wrong, so to say this is "normal" is pretty much saying, this is what everyone is doing, so let's accept it and call it "normal", do you not see the fallacy in that.
- #17
loseyourname
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
- 1,829
- 5
I think you're confusing "right" with "normal." If the societal mean was the consistently do the wrong thing, then doing the wrong thing would be normal, but it would still be wrong.
- #18
theriddler876
- 98
- 0
normal is societies accepted standard at any given time, you also have diffrent levels of society/culture, like global and regional and even cities have diffrent standards thus what might be normal in one city might not be in another
- #19
tc-
- 6
- 0
Normal is what the bulk of people tries to be and the rest tries to avoid being.
- #20
AiA
- 103
- 0
Norm is not majority
You all mistaking normal for majority, cause the majority of people watches porn that doesn't make it "normal". All of you are perceiving normal as what is consistent in the time. Being a normal human means being normal to your essence. If you saw a four sided triangle, that isn't right, isn't "normal" because it goes against a triangles essence (please don't respond with a four sided triangle is a square, I'm giving an example) just like watching porn goes against a human beings essence, hence it isn't normal.
You all mistaking normal for majority, cause the majority of people watches porn that doesn't make it "normal". All of you are perceiving normal as what is consistent in the time. Being a normal human means being normal to your essence. If you saw a four sided triangle, that isn't right, isn't "normal" because it goes against a triangles essence (please don't respond with a four sided triangle is a square, I'm giving an example) just like watching porn goes against a human beings essence, hence it isn't normal.
- #21
Sho'Nuff
Normal is :
Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type
I guess the question should be normal to who ? These are the people constituting this norm so it has to be decided and generally in our sosieties the majority decides.
Therefore:
General normal at a cretain time and place is what most people consider acceptable at that time and place, so if most people are watching porn but don't discuss it openly, its therefore then normal to watch porn and not discuss it openly.
Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type
I guess the question should be normal to who ? These are the people constituting this norm so it has to be decided and generally in our sosieties the majority decides.
Therefore:
General normal at a cretain time and place is what most people consider acceptable at that time and place, so if most people are watching porn but don't discuss it openly, its therefore then normal to watch porn and not discuss it openly.
- #22
AiA
- 103
- 0
you are repeating yourself
"You all mistaking normal for majority, cause the majority of people watches porn that doesn't make it "normal". All of you are perceiving normal as what is consistent in the time. Being a normal human means being normal to your essence. If you saw a four sided triangle, that isn't right, isn't "normal" because it goes against a triangles essence (please don't respond with a four sided triangle is a square, I'm giving an example) just like watching porn goes against a human beings essence, hence it isn't normal."
just because everyone does somethin, it doesn't make it normal, normal is following and obeying your essence, that is to be a proper/normal human, to go against what it is to be human is not normal but insane, your definition of normal is liking saying "if every man is totally and completely insane, its normal and should be accepted as normal.
"You all mistaking normal for majority, cause the majority of people watches porn that doesn't make it "normal". All of you are perceiving normal as what is consistent in the time. Being a normal human means being normal to your essence. If you saw a four sided triangle, that isn't right, isn't "normal" because it goes against a triangles essence (please don't respond with a four sided triangle is a square, I'm giving an example) just like watching porn goes against a human beings essence, hence it isn't normal."
just because everyone does somethin, it doesn't make it normal, normal is following and obeying your essence, that is to be a proper/normal human, to go against what it is to be human is not normal but insane, your definition of normal is liking saying "if every man is totally and completely insane, its normal and should be accepted as normal.
- #23
Sho'Nuff
AiA said:
Then how is it that normal changes between ages, countries and religions. For great phisosophers like socrates and plato, having a little handy boy was normal and getting a hand in public as well so does "essence" determine "normal" or does "normal" determine "essence"
AiA said:
And I believe this is correct
- #24
AiA
- 103
- 0
Norm makes essence or essence makes norm
Just because people say truth, essence etc differs doesn't mean truth, essence etc is different per philosopher or age, natural law was the same ten thousand years ago as it is now, but there has to be a standard of essence, essence is not contingent on man but man is contingent on essence, we don't decide what a human is what a human is decides what you are, a human.
Since there is a normal essence, there is a norm, anything that goes against normal is insane not normal. Insane (out of mind) is the opposite of norm, your just trying to justify what people do by saying whatever everyone at that time whants to do is "normal"
Just because people say truth, essence etc differs doesn't mean truth, essence etc is different per philosopher or age, natural law was the same ten thousand years ago as it is now, but there has to be a standard of essence, essence is not contingent on man but man is contingent on essence, we don't decide what a human is what a human is decides what you are, a human.
Since there is a normal essence, there is a norm, anything that goes against normal is insane not normal. Insane (out of mind) is the opposite of norm, your just trying to justify what people do by saying whatever everyone at that time whants to do is "normal"
- #25
RawThinkTank
- 6
- 0
In human world normal is defined by evolution.
Some thing that can survive (succesfull) is considered normal.
For Example : Its normal for them to kill a live animal to eat. But that is outrageous for the animals. It all a matter of convinence and That too is considered as normal.
Some thing that can survive (succesfull) is considered normal.
For Example : Its normal for them to kill a live animal to eat. But that is outrageous for the animals. It all a matter of convinence and That too is considered as normal.
- #26
AiA
- 103
- 0
Normal is not evolution nor is it based on time, on an earlier post I used the example, ""your definition of normal is liking saying "if every man is totally and completely insane, its normal and should be accepted as normal." And some one responded with "thats correct," What if most of the world is completely insane but there is a group of sane people, or one sane person, would the norm still be sychotic or would it be what the 'sane' person inturpretes as normal?
- #27
dekoi
Some people are making the mistake, as AiA said somewhere, that the majority is the "normal". Perhaps this is true in a very vague way; but this sort of "norm" is a perverse idea of the concept of normality.
- #28
honestrosewater
Gold Member
- 2,133
- 6
AiA and dekoi,
Again, you are stating something as a fact which isn't a fact. People can define normal however they want to define normal. You do not have authority over the definition of normal.
Normal is not usually defined to mean right, wrong, good, or bad. It is you who is defining normal this way. Normal is usually defined with respect to some majority, whether it be a majority opinion, behavior, property, etc.
Again, you are stating something as a fact which isn't a fact. People can define normal however they want to define normal. You do not have authority over the definition of normal.
Normal is not usually defined to mean right, wrong, good, or bad. It is you who is defining normal this way. Normal is usually defined with respect to some majority, whether it be a majority opinion, behavior, property, etc.
- #29
AiA
- 103
- 0
Answer me this, what makes a normal dog, one that acts in its nature, correct. What makes a normal tree, one that acts in its nature, sun flowers follow the sun, if they don't follow the sun, that is not a normal sun flower.
same thing applies to humans.
same thing applies to humans.
- #30
honestrosewater
Gold Member
- 2,133
- 6
But what does "acts in its nature" mean?AiA said:
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