In the College of Arts and Science today, I saw a poster advertising an MA in Reasoning. This, combined with the juxtaposion of students carelessly playing frisbee and chatting on the quad with snip-its of intelligent though nerdy conversation between a professors and a Master's student I overheard, allowed me to finally put my finger on an idea I've felt for a long time but haven't been able to form into a meaningful statement until now.
Wow! With such and introduction, you're sure to be disappointed. Be forewarned, what comes next is no deep realisation.
I confess, I am a bit of an academic. I like ideas. This has given me a certain amount of admiration for other people with ideas (especially exciting, perceptive ones); however, throughout my academic career, I've come across a number of fabulous academics who, rather mysteriously, haven't managed to command my admiration.
Of course, this was simply because of shortcomings in other aspects of their lives that are more important to me, like family for example. Building on that, my realisation of the day is that reasoning abilities are totally unrelated to empathising abilities (duh! IQ ≠ EQ), so no amount of studying (even psychology or the like) can truly help people understand others on a personal level. One learns about people through people.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Limits of Reasoning
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Washington DC 2007-08
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3 comments:
"so no amount of studying can truly help people understand others on a personal level": well said.
I wonder; however, when studies (in psychology) are trying to figure out our reptilian hot-buttons, it perhaps won't help understanding others on a personal level, but it can't hurt ... can it? Unless of course they are used by marketing agencies to thwart consumers, which would then mean that such studies contribute to the psychic warfare... (not very helpful I apologize)
Appreciated "Limits of reasoning" -satisfied customer.
I realize this post is old, but I also realized that I never commented on it. When you say they haven't managed to command your admiration, I assume you mean personally? Because if the two are completely separate, you would still have respect for them as intellectuals, right?
Anyway. I'm still not quite right with the point you made this evening about helping people. We need to discuss this further.
sorry for the delay in my reply matt.
"when studies (in psychology) are trying to figure out our reptilian hot-buttons, it perhaps won't help understanding others on a personal level, but it can't hurt ... can it?"
well, where such studies can "hurt" is in their opportunity cost. so many serious researchers choose to study humans to large extent INSTEAD of developing relationships with people and learning through those, i.e. being part of a (non-academic) community. the latter, in my mind, is more beneficial to everyone.
hope all's well with you and good luck with the end of the term!
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