Great Wits Are to Madness Near Allied and Thin Partitions Do Their Bounds Divide

Absalom & Achitophel: “Great wits are to madness near allied, And thin partitions do their bounds divide.”

by John Dryden

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	224 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	88 pages
Paperback	:	124 pages
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.85 x 0.31 x 8.27 inches
Hardcover	:	216 pages
Mass Market Paperback	:	416 pages
Reading age	:	18 years and up
Lexile measure	:	790L

FREE

The notion that great wits are to madness near allied has been a topic of fascination and speculation for centuries. From the ancient Greeks to modern-day psychologists, many have observed the curious correlation between brilliance and mental illness. Some of history's greatest minds, such as Aristotle, Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh, have all struggled with mental health issues.

Does this suggest that there is a causal relationship between genius and madness? Or are these two phenomena simply independent occurrences that happen to coexist in some individuals? This article explores the complex and nuanced relationship between great wits and madness, examining the evidence for and against the idea that the two are inextricably linked.

The Evidence for a Connection

There is a wealth of anecdotal evidence to suggest that great wits are often near allied to madness. Many of the world's most famous geniuses have experienced periods of mental illness, including:

• Aristotle: The great philosopher suffered from depression and anxiety.
• Plato: The founder of the Academy struggled with bipolar disorder.
• Leonardo da Vinci: The Renaissance artist and inventor was known for his mood swings and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
• Vincent van Gogh: The Dutch painter suffered from severe depression and bipolar disorder, which ultimately led to his suicide.
• Virginia Woolf: The English novelist and essayist struggled with depression and bipolar disorder throughout her life.

In addition to these anecdotal accounts, there is also some scientific evidence to support the idea that great wits may be more prone to mental illness. For example, a study published in the journal Nature found that people with high levels of creativity are more likely to experience symptoms of schizophrenia. Another study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, found that people with bipolar disorder are more likely to be creative than those without the disorder.

The Evidence Against a Connection

While there is some evidence to suggest that great wits may be more prone to mental illness, it is important to note that not all geniuses experience mental health problems. In fact, many highly intelligent people live full and productive lives without ever experiencing any significant mental health issues.

Additionally, it is important to consider the fact that mental illness is a complex and multifaceted condition. There are many different types of mental illness, each with its own unique symptoms and causes. It is therefore difficult to say definitively whether or not there is a causal relationship between genius and madness.

The relationship between great wits and madness is a complex and nuanced one. While there is some evidence to suggest that the two may be linked, it is important to remember that not all geniuses experience mental health problems. Additionally, it is important to consider the fact that mental illness is a complex and multifaceted condition with many different contributing factors.

Ultimately, the question of whether or not great wits are to madness near allied is one that cannot be definitively answered. However, the ongoing research into the relationship between genius and mental illness is helping us to better understand the complex nature of both conditions.

Absalom & Achitophel: “Great wits are to madness near allied, And thin partitions do their bounds divide.”

by John Dryden

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	224 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	88 pages
Paperback	:	124 pages
Item Weight	:	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.85 x 0.31 x 8.27 inches
Hardcover	:	216 pages
Mass Market Paperback	:	416 pages
Reading age	:	18 years and up
Lexile measure	:	790L

FREE