Adam Blatner
Words and Images from the Mind of Adam Blatner
October, 2012
Beyond Reason in Philosophy
Most of true philosophy involves reason, but not all. I like this following quote from one of my favorite philosophers, Alfred North Whitehead (1869-1947), who wrote near the end of his book, Modes of Thought: “The use of philosophy is to maintain an active novelty of fundamental ideas illuminating the social system. It reverses the […]
Posted in Follies, Spirituality and Philosophy, Wisdom-ing | No Comments »
The Lure of Irrational Hope
A friend asked, “Why are people so inclined towards irrational hope?” I pondered and here are some thoughts. You are welcome to comment. First, some hope is semi-rational in the sense of it doesn’t hurt to look for the best, and it’s no help to imagine negative consequences—unless you can do something realistic to change […]
Posted in Current Events, Follies, Psychological Literacy | No Comments »
“A World Too Wide For His Shrunk Shank”
This age-ist phrase was used by William Shakespeare in a little speech given by the character Jaques in the play, As You Like It (Act 2, Scene 7), to describe the 6th of the “Seven Ages of Man.” This sixth age is older than the “Justice” (the 5th age), and senility, the seventh, age. The […]
Posted in Autobiographical, Essays and Papers, My Favorite Things, Spirituality and Philosophy, Wisdom-ing | 1 Comment »
Paradigm Changes in Our Time
I’m aware that this phrase, paradigm change, has become somewhat cliché’d, but I think it useful to recognize what we are going through many cultural trends or shifts of world-view. It occurred to me that while the years around 1901 have been called “fin de siecle,”—meaning the end of the century, our own era, the […]
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Creativity & the Arts Therapies
In response to a request to speak to some students of one of the arts therapies at a college in the USA, I contemplated what such students need to hear. I asked about improvisation as a theme and the teacher noted that developing skills to promote improvisation in art media—music, dance, art, poetry, etc.—is indeed […]
Posted in Play and Spontaneity, Psychological Literacy, Psychology, Wisdom-ing | No Comments »