What is a Normal Person?

This is a difficult question to answer because this word "normal" has several meanings and at least two distinct definitions. When we are dealing with population statistics, we assume that the normal is the average, or something close to it. From such figures, we can form a pic­ture of a normal person who is likely to have a particular height, and we can say that the average person of that height has a certain normal weight. By averaging from the mental capabilities of people who are very clever or very slow at reasoning, we arrive at an average intelli­gence. By considering everyone's salary or wages, we can work out an average income. This "normal" person would, of course, not be very fit-he would have to suffer an average number of illnesses; nor could he be very contented, since he would have to suffer a number of misfortunes. If he were noticeably successful in life, or particularly handsome or charming, he would cease to be "normal". Even his opinions would have to be rather restrained, because we should work out the way he votes, the church he belongs to, his ideas of what is right and what is wrong, and his choice of clothes, furniture, entertainment and every­thing else by averaging out the views of the total population from one in each case.

On the other hand, the same word "normal" also suggests to us a particularly satisfactory state of affairs. When the doctor assures us we are in normal health, he means that our minds and bodies are free from illness and functioning well. If we were "abnormal", we should be wor­ried. In this sense, we use the word normal to sum up a rather admirable set of conditions: it is "normal" to be above average in health, to have sound common sense and reliable opinions. We would expect the nor­mal person to act with careful thought and consideration, and not to make silly mistakes. We are now generalizing from our own limited experience and ideas to form a picture of what is the right and proper behaviour in our particular part of the world.