"We take our bearings, daily, from others. To be sane is, to a great extent, to be sociable"

Humans are fundamentally social creatures, navigating the world not in isolation but in continuous relation to others. Our thoughts, beliefs, and emotional states are frequently shaped and reflected by our social interactions. The idea that we “take our bearings, daily, from others” highlights an essential truth of human existence: our sense of reality and our individual identities are dependent on our ability to engage, relate, and compare ourselves with those around us.

Every day, whether consciously or unconsciously, people look to one another to find cues about appropriate behavior, shared values, and expected emotional responses. Social norms, customs, and standards are not innate, they are learned and maintained through dialogue, observation, and participation within society. Even acts of rebellion or nonconformity typically take shape in contrast to prevailing social expectations. People diagnose what is reasonable, permissible, or desirable by referencing the attitudes and actions of others in their community.

Sanity, according to Updike’s perspective, is inextricably linked to the capacity for sociability. The boundary between sanity and insanity is not wholly determined by independent reasoning, but rests in the ability to communicate, understand, and cooperate with other people. Someone who cannot take their bearings from others, who cannot read social cues or respond appropriately, may become alienated, misunderstood, or dismissed as ‘insane’ regardless of their internal reasoning. Socialization becomes a safeguard against psychological isolation and disorder.

Belonging, then, is not just a desire but a necessity for our psychological well-being. The complex dance of mirroring, adapting, and responding to others is foundational to maintaining a shared sense of reality. Human flourishing depends on our intertwined connections with others, shaping not just our actions but the very framework of consciousness and sanity itself. To be sociable is, in this light, to be anchored, to have one’s bearings in the collective map of human experience.