Capability for abstract thought

[Richard]

The following is something I snipped from an article about if Einstein lived today. Do you really suppose abstract thought comes only from experience as suggested? I would think it more innate.


Philosopher as well as physicist
Education is different, too. One crucial aspect of Einstein's training that is overlooked, says Notre Dame science historian Don Howard, is the years of philosophy he read as a teenager — Kant, Schopenhauer and Spinoza, among others. It taught him to how to think independently and abstractly about space and time, Howard says, and it wasn't long before he became a philosopher himself.
"The independence created by philosophical insight is — in my opinion — the mark of distinction between a mere artisan or specialist and a real seeker after truth," Einstein wrote in 1944.

 

[Greebo]

I think that abstract thought is more innate. Look at the creative ideas children come up with, with almost no education. Granted, usually the ideas they come up with is nonsense - but it illustrates that we're all born with the ability to be extremely imaginative.

But as we grow older, many (most?) become conditioned to think "the right way" and conform with the majority. Depending on the upbringing, creative, independent, "nonsense" thinking can be practiceally beaten out of the child (figuratively and/or literally speaking). Education tells us what is real, the way things work, and (frequently) punishes us for thinking in ways that don't conform to the norm.

True genius, I think, comes from the ability to hold onto that childlike imagination while also being able to function within the norm. A solid willingness to challenge the "common wisdom" doesn't hurt. (Think Gallileo, for example...)

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

Somebody said,
"True genius is most often initially met with violent opposition from inferior minds."

 

[bstratt]

But as we grow older, many (most?) become conditioned to think "the right way" and conform with the majority. Depending on the upbringing, creative, independent, "nonsense" thinking can be practiceally beaten out of the child (figuratively and/or literally speaking). Education tells us what is real, the way things work, and (frequently) punishes us for thinking in ways that don't conform to the norm.

Cue "We Don't Need No Education", Pink Floyd, The Wall.

 

[Greebo]

You asked for it:

The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
When we grew up and went to school
there were certain teachers who would
hurt the children anyway they could
by pouring their derision
upon anything we did
and exposing any weakness
however carefully hidden by the kids
But in town it was well known
when they got home at night
their fat and psychopatic wives would thrash them
within inches of their lives

Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two
We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you
have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"

 

[bstratt]

The funny thing was I actually had The Wall playing in my office when I read the post!

Maybe we should start a poll asking if you play music in your office and if so what kind?