
Folly and madness
Folly and madness refer to forms of irrational behavior. Folly describes poor judgment or silliness, often stemming from ignorance or impulsiveness, leading individuals to make unwise decisions without malicious intent. Madness (or madness in a clinical sense) refers to severe mental health issues that impair perception and reasoning, affecting thoughts, perceptions, and actions. While folly is generally considered temporary and less serious, madness can indicate deeper psychological conditions requiring treatment. Both involve deviations from rational thought, but differ in severity, context, and underlying causes.