Avoid the word 'insane' in argument & debate

Don't use the word 'insane' in an argument against a proposal/idea.  The word 'insane' is dismissive, and the word makes light of people with mental health disabilities.  The word 'insane' isn't really a particularly useful word for an argument.

A few examples of alternative words to use in lieu of 'insane' when challenging a proposal:

1: Insipid - Flat, Dull, Lacking of distinctive character
2. Inane - Silly, Stupid
3. Inept - Lacking in skill, Lacking in sense
4. Ineffective - Not producing an intended outcome

The word 'insane' calls into question a person's mental health, which is typically irrelevant in an argument as many great - even brilliant - ideas have come from people with mental health issues.  The word 'insane' is often irrelevant to the usefulness of an idea.  If an idea is insane, but still produces an intended outcome, then all that really matters is that the idea works.

Phraseology around 'sanity' and 'insanity' has its place for discussions between mental health experts and their patients.  But mental health terminology really isn't appropriate for typical public debate.  Mental health terminology is complicated to use correctly, and is often just used as a personal attack against a speaker to undermine a proposal in an argument.  The use of mental health terminology in debate usually comes across as hate-speech and personal-attacks disguised as psychology.

A proposal should be judged on logic, capacity to produce an intended outcome, and whether-or-not an intended outcome is beneficial/ethical.  There are various words which can be used to challenge a proposal in debate which focus on the merits and character of a proposal.  However, the word 'insane' has little value in public debate.