One problem is the assumption that being right and novel on some things implies being consistently right/sane. An important feature that separates “insanity” and stupidity is that “insanity” doesn’t preclude domain-specific brilliance. Certainly a person being unusually right on some things is evidence for them being consistently right on others, but not overwhelmingly strong evidence.
One problem is the assumption that being right and novel on some things implies being consistently right/sane. An important feature that separates “insanity” and stupidity is that “insanity” doesn’t preclude domain-specific brilliance. Certainly a person being unusually right on some things is evidence for them being consistently right on others, but not overwhelmingly strong evidence.
Good point. Many advances were made by people of dubious sanity.