Can societies become insane?
Yes, they can become insane
Side Score: 6
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No, they cannot become insane
Side Score: 4
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What a stupid question. Can people become insane? Are societies made of people? Can insane people be in charge of societies? Can insane people in power convince the masses of insane things through propaganda and psychological warfare? Here's a hint. If you failed to answer yes to any of those questions, you're retarded. Side: Yes, they can become insane
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If you failed to answer yes to any of those questions, you're retarded. An ad hominem? Seriously? How does that explore the question or invite discussion? You fail to address the difference between the individuals who rule/govern a society and the society as a whole. You fail to address the connection between the individuals who compose a society and the society as a single thing. You ignore the need to define what constitutes insane, vice dysfunctional. You also fail to address that it is arguable that, regardless of the power of the propaganda machine, convincing an entire population of any particular thing is impossible. Most of all, you failed to demonstrate that a society (as a whole) is even capable of function on the basis of intent. Try demonstrating that you are right before insisting that those who disagree with you are retarded. Side: No, they cannot become insane
They can. I've been reading the book "The sane society" by Erich Fromm which is what prompted me to ask this question and gauge whether or not people agreed more often than not. While the typical opinion(as far as I can tell) is that mental illness is just a few individuals that aren't a good representation of the general population, I think it's the society itself that is mentally ill and they are manifestations of the society that is mentally ill. There are many people with diagnosed mental illnesses. Imagine all those who are un-diagnosed as well. I think when you consider them, it is obvious that the society itself drives people to mental illness, which in turn, means that the society itself is mentally ill. Side: Yes, they can become insane
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gauge whether or not people agreed more often than not. I think most people will agree that societies can become insane, but where they disagree is on what constitutes insanity. It's rather ironic because most of the people on this website know insane societies exist but don't realize they are either living in one or advocating for one 9 times out of 10. the typical opinion(as far as I can tell) is that mental illness is just a few individuals that aren't a good representation of the general population This is accurate to an extent, although most people are a little bit crazy and a little bit sane at the same time. The average human tends to hold superstitious beliefs and arbitrary inter-subjective cultural biases, yet at the same time they can tell you it's crazy to eat poop and stick a sword up your butthole. I think it's the society itself that is mentally ill and they are manifestations of the society that is mentally ill. This is also true to an extent, mentally ill societies are actually the norm, but mental illness is a spectrum, not an absolute condition, I don't think anyone is 100% sane. Society can be both the result and cause of insane thoughts and behaviours, but such things can also happen due to completely external factors such as a genetic condition or getting hit in the cranium with a lead pipe. Imagine all those who are un-diagnosed as well. Once again, the truth is full of nuance, there are many undiagnosed mental illnesses such as "superstitious personality disorder" and there are many a diagnosis that are inaccurate. Side: Yes, they can become insane
Yes, you have made very good points that basically none of this is quantifiable. I was trying to be brief in my explanation. I especially like this point that you made: "Society can be both the result and cause of insane thoughts and behaviours, but such things can also happen due to completely external factors such as a genetic condition or getting hit in the cranium with a lead pipe." That made a lot of sense to me. Thank you for the further analysis of the points I made. Side: Yes, they can become insane
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