What is normal?

[Ramadan90]

I think we need to first distinguish between definition of normal in normative(morality, reason, measured behaviour) and statisical sense(avarage or median of a data etc). Interesting question, I will get back to this thread with some thoughts if I have time.

 

[asiya45]

:hmm: I dont even have kids yet but I pray for them everyday!! When thinking about what will happen in the future, gives my goosebumps!!imsad

 

[Jedi_Mindset]

Its normal for human being to have faith in Allah, and submit to HIS will(This is the reason why Allah(SWT) created us) even though our desires will prevent it (if we don't struggle). Although when u are a pious believer and especally living in the west, u won't have a good image and you will be labeled as extremist. Imaan these days...is like walking on hot coal.

Times where someone wakes up as a believer and sleeps as a kafir. Or the opposite. Like our nabi(Saw) predicted. Though times, but we're in the end times, it can only become more worse until Mahdi(As) and prophet Isa(As) arrive.

 

[Scimitar]

I'd settle for normal, but aspire to the "exceptional".

Normal is what you are used to, the mean by which society tolerates social activities which may be deemed offensive by other neighbouring societies - making the same practice that is normal in one locality, an abnormal practice in another... for example:

It is normal for Muslims to go to offer salah at masjids in East London, but not outside number 10 Downing Street, it is not normal. That's one version of it... thing is, you can go ape working out definitions of normal ... even while writing this, I thought of about 3 more.

Now to go all geekynerdo on you, dictionary definitions LOOOOL:
[h=1]

normal[/h]

[nawr-muhl] http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html  
http://app.dictionary.com/popup?sou...lbackAction=addToFav&domaindest=reference.com Example Sentences Origin
[h=2]nor·mal[/h]   [nawr-muhl] http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html Show IPA

adjective1.conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; notabnormal; regular; natural.

2.serving to establish a standard.

3.Psychology .a.approximately average in any psychological trait, asintelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment.

b.free from any mental disorder; sane.



4.Biology, Medicine/Medical .a.free from any infection or other form of disease ormalformation, or from experimental therapy ormanipulation.

b.of natural occurrence.



5.Mathematics .a.being at right angles, as a line; perpendicular.

b.of the nature of or pertaining to a mathematical normal.

c.(of an orthogonal system of real functions) defined sothat the integral of the square of the absolute value ofany function is 1.

d.(of a topological space) having the property thatcorresponding to every pair of disjoint closed sets aretwo disjoint open sets, each containing one of theclosed sets.

e.(of a subgroup) having the property that the sameset of elements results when all the elements of thesubgroup are operated on consistently on the left andconsistently on the right by any element of the group;invariant.



EXPAND






noun
7.the average or mean: Production may fall below normal.

8.the standard or type.

9.Mathematics .a.a perpendicular line or plane, especially oneperpendicular to a tangent line of a curve, or a tangentplane of a surface, at the point of contact.

b.the portion of this perpendicular line included betweenits point of contact with the curve and the x- axis.





00:

Origin:

1520–30; < Latin normālis made according to a carpenter'ssquare, equivalent to norm ( a ) ( see norm) + -ālis -al[SUP]1[/SUP]

Related formsnor·mal·i·ty, nor·mal·ness, noun
an·ti·nor·mal, adjective
an·ti·nor·mal·ness, noun
an·ti·nor·mal·i·ty, noun
half-nor·mal, adjective
EXPAND











Example Sentences

• Weather is so variable that it's hard to call any situation normal.

• Monsoons are normal, but the duration and intensity was bizarre.

• It is normal for a cow to eat her young when she senses that they aresickly.

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• Scimi

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[Ramadan90]

Or you could take the easy way out... LOL! ^^

I looked forward to discuss from a philosophical perspective.:'(

 

[جوري]

by no means am I looking for the dictionary definition. A philosophical one is welcome and it is open ended..

 

[Scimitar]

I think we need to first distinguish between definition of normal in normative(morality, reason, measured behaviour) and statisical sense(avarage or median of a data etc). Interesting question, I will get back to this thread with some thoughts if I have time.

Or you could take the easy way out... LOL! ^^

I looked forward to discuss from a philosophical perspective.

If you got time to read, you got time to write

Philosophically eh? Loving it... Ok, I'll start then, kick this off so to speak.

1) Measuring what is normal from a moral perspective: I argue that the roots of all morality is ground in religious doctrine. But I also argue that religious morality is not the rule today, but the exception... so here you can see a contrast. Anyone differ?

2) measured behaviour... this one is a catch 22 argument. Measuring behaviour according to what standards? A clinic which houses mentally disturbed patients will see the passing public point and say "bunch of freaks"... but inside the clinic, it's just another day, right? Again, a contrast. But one with a different attachment. Anyone differ?

3) What is normal according to statistical data?, Analytical information that gets chosen to determine the average of something, does not reflect if it is normal. An example: My blood sugar is high, it is abnormally high - the readings all come back saying that blood pressure is off the charts... not normal, right? But it is for me... It's how i am, right?

These philosophical debates are actually the easier way out, and lead to a lot of confusion.

You can stick the three greatest philosophers, arguers of logic in the same room: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and guess what? They'd disagree on fundamental points where there POV differs from eachother. Infact, I believe that the three would be at eachothers throats... a classic exa,mple of where philosophy fails at the highest level. So where do we go from there?

The answer is - back to faith. So back to this again: " I argue that the roots of all morality is ground in religious doctrine"

Scimi

EDIT: I think the better question would be "what is your reality, and what is normal in your reality".

 

[White Rose]

Good question.
If I was the only person living in this world, everything I would do would seem normal to me.
Line starts to get drawn when there is a clash of opinions.

 

[جوري]

How does one overcome the perceived abnormality then to become normal? For instance if the law of the land is freedom of speech and you use that right freely under that law to express yourself and receive a sentence of 17.5 years, or elicit a drone attack or or or..
or let's say the state decides that in order for you to achieve a certain position you need to pass the state requirement and when you do they shut the door on your face for similar reasons let's say you're too Muslim or too passive or whatever they concoct.
Do you think that everyone that uses the principals defined by the state to achieve the 'norm' and then denied it is abnormal?.. how then would you reconcile that? Just fight to the death? redefine the norm? stage a coup? succumb?

 

[Scimitar]

I think the best answer to that is "Find a diffferent reality, one that reflects your choice of what is normal - better."

This is why Hijra is an option for us. Infact, the time is close now, where practicing Islam in the west will be vilified... ground work is already laid out (above post houses two small examples). Hijaab bans, bearded men seen as suspect, anti-Islam propaganda... sadly, this is normailty here in the west, and the trend suggests that Muslims are definitely on the back foot. Worse, the trend also suggests that this onslaught of anti-Islam propaganda is only gonna make life for Muslims in the west, more difficult. And if given enough time to get used to that - it will become normal...

We should check that "back foot stance", stop, turn around and refuse to "play" their "game"...

...Like I said, hijra.

Unfortunately, there are not many options for that either. Sad and interesting times we are living in.

Scimi

 

[جوري]

...Like I said, hijra.

Unfortunately, there are not many options for that either.

No there are not!.. and unfortunately unless you go there as a stowaway forget your entire education etc. there's virtually a zero chance of that occurring...
These are difficult times we live in....

Worst yet, they'd gladly give your a$$ up, have them drone you or whatever other means if it meant some despot remains on his seat.

 

[Haya emaan]

What is normal?

for me every thing is normal if it goes on the track i have 'expected', and when something 'unexpected' happens is 'abnormal' until i accept it and become used to of it..

 

[جوري]

for me every thing is normal if it goes on the track i have 'expected', and when something 'unexpected' happens is 'abnormal' until i accept it and become used to of it..

Yes, I think I have a problem with the accepting portion.. I don't even know how that reconciles with being a Muslim?.. I have a difficult time understanding the concept of fate vs. free will.

 

[sister herb]

"Normal" is the equivalent of "boring".

"Normal" means that you think everything what is normal is boring?

:giggling:

 

[asiya45]

We are all normal and abnormal in some way or another! :hmm:

What's normal in the west is not normal in India or the Middle East,
but then whatever that is normal in India is not normal in the Middle East,
and what is normal in the Middle East is not normal in India or anywhere else in the world.
:heated: WILL WE EVER BE NORMAL anywhere in the world? We have to try to fit somewhere :?...:hmm:

 

[sister herb]

Maybe being normal is overvalued any ways.

 

[asiya45]

^true...I still dont get it...
if Normal is to submit to Allah then I am normal as muslim but abnormal to the non-muslims...
if normal is to eat with your hands then I am normal in my house but not in the public
:heated:



Does being PREFECTLY NORMAL exist?? :?

 

[Endymion]

If acting like a true Muslim is normal and people who want to move you according to their wish are abnormal then the whole society is abnormal.Just keep a pocket size editable version of Islam and everything is "normal".

 

[asiya45]

Thats a good idea ^

 

[Insanely.Krazii]

The word "normal" holds different meanings depending on where it is being used. In the US it's "normal" to see a girl walking outside in shorts and a shirt. That sight is abnormal (and pretty close to impossible) lets say in Saudi Arabia. Now, in Saudi it's "normal" to see a fully veiled woman whereas it's abnormal in the US. And it could go on like the traditional Somalian clothes are abnormal to any other place than Somalia and also their culture... language... etc...

Does being perfectly normal exist? I don't know lol.