"If your thinking is like a pragmatic writer, then I dare you to understand the abstract reasoning of poets."
=> It can also be understood: Your thinking only sees from the eyes... How can you understand the abstract ideas that go beyond ordinary views.
Winston Man.
Excerpt from AI:
Winston Man’s quote:
"If your thinking is like a pragmatic writer, then I dare you to understand the abstract reasoning of poets."
is a profound philosophical statement about the difference in approach and perception of the world between two types of people-pragmatic and abstract, fanciful.
Below is a detailed analysis:
1. The opposition between "pragmatic writer" and "poet"
Pragmatic writer: represents a logical, rational way of thinking, oriented towards reality, focusing on efficiency and clarity. They see life through a specific lens, what can be verified, has application value.
Poet: represents an abstract, emotional, symbolic way of thinking, often seeing meanings beyond the ordinary view. Poetry is often not direct, but suggestive and multi-dimensional.
=> When Winston Man says "if you think like a pragmatic writer, then I dare you to understand the poet", he is emphasizing that these two types of thinking are very different, and a person who only thinks in a practical way will hardly be able to feel the lofty, profound, sometimes vague ideas of poetry.
2. Implied criticism or warning
The saying is not just an objective observation, but can also be understood as a warning: if you only look at life through pragmatic eyes, you will miss the opportunity to understand the spiritual depths, the beauty that transcends the limits of pure logic.
3. Extended connection
In life: Some people live practically, always needing clarity, numbers, benefits. But there are also people who live emotionally, love art, philosophy, things that "cannot be measured with a ruler". Both are valuable, but if we lean only to one side, we will lose the ability to feel the rest of the world.
In academia and creativity: A scientist who knows how to feel art can make humanistic inventions. Conversely, an artist who understands reality will create with more depth and relevance.
4. Conclusion
Winston Man’s saying sparks the idea that:
To understand the beauty and profundity of life, people need to overcome simple pragmatic thinking, and need a soul that knows how to fly, empathize and be open-minded.
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Going deeper into Winston Man’s thinking-not only at the level of opposition between pragmatic and abstract, but as a philosophical and human issue:
"The limitations of pragmatic thinking in the world full of symbols, emotions and beauty."
I. The nature of the two types of thinking: Pragmatic & Poetic
1. What is pragmatic thinking?
This is a common type of thinking in modern society: oriented towards goals, calculating benefits, efficiency, accuracy, verification. It appears strongly in economics, science, technology, and even in social relations.
Advantages: clear, effective, specific.
Disadvantages: limited to what can be measured, explained, verified.
In other words: pragmatic thinking is "low" thinking-not because it is inferior, but because it approaches the world from the "ground", from things that have already taken shape.
2. What is poetic thinking?
Poetic thinking is the expression of the ability to feel the depth of existence, of beauty, of emotions, symbols, what is not clear, not certain.
Cannot be framed by formulas, linear logic.
Is a type of "flying" thinking, going beyond reality, to touch the invisible layers of life.
=> Poetic thinking does not seek "answers" but suggests "questions".
II. The problem that Winston Man suggests:
The more pragmatic people are, the more easily they become insensitive.
Winston Man is not just criticizing pragmatism-but is asking a profound human question:
"Are we gradually losing the ability to vibrate, imagine and understand things beyond benefit?"
His saying reflects the worry about the poverty of the modern soul:
When society requires people to be "effective", "successful", "calculating", then poetry, beauty, philosophy, compassion... become "luxuries" or "useless" things.
But it is those "useless" things that are the soul of being human.
III. Another depth: Language and its limitations
Wittgenstein-a language philosopher-once said:
"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world."
Winston Man is expanding on this:
If your thinking is bound by logical language, then you will not be able to touch the world where language fails-where there are only symbols, music, poetry, emotions.
=> The language of poetry is a language beyond language.
It does not say "right" or "wrong", but suggests something beyond direct expression.
IV. Deep message: Expand the depth of consciousness
Not to deny pragmatic thinking, but to expand the mind to accept the existence of other levels of thinking.
When you are only used to seeing the world with your eyes, you will not understand things that can only be "seen with the soul".
"Your thoughts are only seen from your eyes... How can you understand abstract ideas beyond ordinary sights."
=> This is a warning about spiritual poverty if we lose the ability to perceive things that are illogical, unprofitable, but rich in life values.
V. Conclusion: A declaration for the soul
Winston Man is not only talking about writers or poets. He speaks to all people.
If you only live with practicality, you will never know the joy of reading a poem, the thrill of watching a sunset, or the profound depth of nameless sadness.
Therefore:
Let poetry live in you.
Keep a part of your mind that serves no purpose-only to feel, imagine and dream.
