4 votes

The hypersane are among us, if only we are prepared to look

1 comment

  1. Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    If it weren't for the byline saying the author is a psychiatrist and a philosopher, I would think this article is a load of metaphysical new-age claptrap. Even so, I'm not convinced it isn't. It's...

    If it weren't for the byline saying the author is a psychiatrist and a philosopher, I would think this article is a load of metaphysical new-age claptrap. Even so, I'm not convinced it isn't. It's vague and rambling and silly.

    It also seems to lack a concrete definition of the main concept: hypersanity. The writer seems to define hypersanity mostly by what it is not: sanity or psychosis. But what it is is left up to the reader's imagination. The closest he comes to defining hypersanity is to say "In contrast, hypersane people are calm, contained and constructive." Well, I've met lots of people who are calm, contained, and constructive. Most of us can manage to be calm, contained, and constructive at times in our lives. But the writer implies that this condition is both rare and difficult to attain.

    Jung and Diogenes came across as insane by the standards of their day.

    And by the standards of our day as well.

    And the hypersane are still among us: from the Dalai Lama to Jane Goodall, there are many candidates.

    The Dalai Lama believes he is the reincarnation of a minor deity. This isn't exactly evidence of being more sane than sane people.

    3 votes