The Definition Of Insanity Is Doing The Same Thing Over And Over Again And Expecting A Different Result.
The Quote
Here is a phrase that you will hear English speakers say. It sounds great and logical but isn’t what insanity means. Insanity is the state of being seriously mentally ill. It is a person who can no longer tell the difference between fantasy and real life. It is a legal term. Insanity can also be used colloquially to say that something (or someone) is irrational.
The phrase is often used to criticize someone’s actions. If someone keeps trying the same thing and is surprised that they get the same result, you can use this phrase. However, insanity is a serious mental illness and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Saying that someone is mentally ill for doing the same thing a few times is rude to the person and disrespectful to those that are suffering from insanity. I should repeat that insanity is a legal word. It is not used in psychology.
Example: She keeps dating ‘bad boys’ and getting heart broken. Well, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
There is an English proverb that says, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” While the phrase does not say “try the same thing again,” it is similar to the ‘definition of insanity’. The proverb is saying that persistence is a virtue while today’s quote says it is insane. Clearly, today’s quote does not adequately define insanity.
Psychology Today suggests that the definition of insanity is the result of confusing two words. Perseverance is continuing to do something despite obstacles or difficulties. Perseveration is a pathological repetition of a word, gesture, or act. The person cannot stop themselves from repeating the word or gesture. A person suffering from perseveration may appear to be insane.
Who Said It?
The quote is often attributed to Albert Einstein, but there is not evidence that he said it. The phrase has been associated with Einstein since at least 1990. Quote Investigator (QI) has traced the quote to Travis Country District Attorney, Ronnie Earle.
The earliest written attribution from QI was in a newspaper article reporting on a meeting of Al-Anon. Al-Anon is an organization that helps families of alcoholics. Alcoholics Anonymous has a 12-step program to help alcoholics recover. Step 2 requires the member to believe that a greater power can restore their sanity. In response, one woman said that she had never reached the point of insanity. Another attendee replied, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” The implication is that an alcoholic drinks habitually and needs a higher power to break that cycle. Other sources attribute the quote to a 1981 Narcotics Anonymous text. The connection to addiction seems to be clear.
Another version of the quote is, “The definition of insanity is repeating the same mistakes over and over and expecting different results.”
See Also: Fool me once, Don't count your chickens, Only human, It's better late than never
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Reference:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-therapy/200907/the-definition-insanity
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/03/23/same/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/insanity-definition_n_1159927
https://jgirlsmagazine.org/2018/03/einstein-really-say/