The difference between an idiosyncrasy, a neurosis and a psychosis is a matter of degree. Idiosyncrasies are odd habits we develop and become attached to--they affect no one but ourselves and are generally not destructive. A neurosis is when a habit or character trait becomes a problem and spills over into irrational behavior that affects others in annoying or damaging ways. A psychosis is when our attachment to our flawed character trait leads to wanting-and-or-doing harm to others. We all have some idiosyncratic attachment to something, though for the mentally healthiest people, the attachment is negligible. And neuroses are not uncommon--pulling your hair when you are nervous, pacing, etc. We all have some degree of racism--separation from those different from ourselves, our group: it is a survival instinct going back to the days our ancestors were hunted. When your racism gets to the point where you neurotically, irrationally, feel good about seeing others in a position of powerlessness [because you fear them], then it is a mental illness. The 3rd picture, the black-and-white of a man, is of Joseph Goebbels. He was a psychotic. A racist. A monster.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 02:22:06 +0000
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