Define "Normal"

[Vancouver 2010]

What I'm finding annoying in all these recent threads about homosexuality are people consistently calling homosexuality either normal or not normal, when they seem to have differing definitions of the word itself! So, I want to know what your definition of "normal" is. (Please, if you want to discuss homosexuality and how "normal" or "not normal" it is, use one of the homosexuality threads and not this one.)

 

[CurtSibling]

'Normal' is what you see it as...

Everyone's definition is different.

 

[yaroslav]

The contrary thing to not normal.

 

[Vancouver 2010]

Originally posted by yaroslav
The contrary thing to not normal.

And I suppose "not normal" is the contrary thing to normal?

I suppose it's a good way to avoid actually defining it. (Mmm... circular references...)

 

[yaroslav]

Jokes aside, with normal in some context I want to say the average behaviour and in other contexts what happens naturally.... but I don't consider being unnormal as anything bad.

 

[yaroslav]

Definitions are very difficult. I've yet to find a definition of what is human that I like.

 

[gael]

Behaviour that is practiced by the majority within social or cultural boundaries is considered 'normal' behavour.

Anything that deviates beyond that is generally considered not 'normal'.
It dosn't mean it is a bad thing, its just not what is perceived to be by the majority as normal behaviour

 

[Double Barrel]

I'd say ["Adhering to the norm" / "The majority" / etc.]

There are naturally occurring things that are not "normal" (i.e. El Nino, the hurricane that just hit Brazil, snow in southern Texas, etc).

However, I agree with CurtSibling. Everyone's definition is different, especially when the dictionary gives many definitions!

2 a : according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle b : conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern
3 : occurring naturally

from Websters (and these are only two of the eight definitions in the dictionary)

 

[col]

Originally posted by col
If by normal you mean in the majority in the population then I guess red headed people arent normal.

If by normal you mean naturally occurring then yes homosexuals are normal.

 

[Pongui]

Perhaps somtimes we say "normal" when we really mean "typical" or "standard".

 

[gael]

I don't think you can expect a solid answer if you ask what is normal and leave it open. It has to be within a context.

 

[WillJ]

Considering the root of the word is norm, I prefer the first definition in the poll to the second one. I use the word natural for the second meaning, although I do recognize it as an alternate definition to normal as well.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

A fictionary stardard set by society.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

What everyone percieves to be standard, which of course is different for every person, so there is no objective definition.

 

[ybbor]

Originally posted by Vancouver2010
... circular references...)

i prefer to think of it as having no lose ends

originally posted by Curt Sibling Everyone's definition is different.

so there is no 'normal' definition of normal

on topic: i like (and agree with) what Sean Lindstrom said

 

[Achinz]

Taking the derivation of the word from "norm" which my dictionary defines as

. a standard or model
. a mean or average

So in your limited list, no. 1 is a candidate.

 

[newfangle]

Perpendicular.

 

[CenturionV]

its just an open description of the current held views, normal in iran is totally different than normal in the USA.

 

[Knowze Gungk]

when it comes to human nature, normal simply means expected. The problem is, humans have many stupid & pointless expectations.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

'Normal' is whatever a majority of people think it is, at any given moment.