Re: Two Types of Creative Thinkers

GR: http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.science.philosophy.peirce/8651
JA: http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.science.philosophy.peirce/8687
KM: http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.science.philosophy.peirce/8700

Kirsti,

You give a good description of the encounter with uncertainty,
that quaky, shaky, unsettled state of mind that irks a person
to inquire after new grounds of belief.  Viewed in biological
perspective, it is only natural that evolution associates the
affects it does with states of doubt.  Animal fear befits the
animal who does not know which way to turn in every situation
of peril -- and what situation is not potentially a situation
of peril if a creature is uncertain what it ought to do next?

But one of the marks of a more evolved creature is a greater
tolerance for uncertainty, a greater capacity for reflection
on doubtful situations, not necessarily in the middle of the
fray, of course -- that can be paralyzing -- but in the cool
of the afterthoughts that a creature can turn to good use in
trying to anticipate similar situations in the future.

That greater capacity for reflection on one's ongoing situation
requires a greater ability to generate alternative descriptions
and courses of action.  That amounts to a capacity for creating
or constructing a larger conceptual "search space" than the one
assumed at the start.  In the idiom, "thinking outside the box".

Regards,

Jon

KM: It is always scary to think in a way which leads one to
     upset the ground (of firm beliefs) one is standing on.

KM: Those who are afraid, are afraid for a reason.

KM: I learned this when reading Hegel's Phaenomenology des Geistes
     in early 1980's.  - I even experimented on it, i.e. made it an
     object off systematic observations. - With every really new
     understanding I had a distinct feeling of falling through
     the ground. -  It was a truly scary.

KM: Every time (with the first 68 pages) I believed I had gained
     an understanding, it fell apart when going on reading. - So,
     the feeling of ground dissolving under me kept on coming again
     and again.

KM: With practice, one can get used to the feeling.
     Learn to trust it is something which will pass,
     along with a new, emerging understanding.

KM: Still, I get sometimes scary when the logical paths of thought
     lead me to unheard-of and unthought-of territories.  The scenery
     just looks so "unheimlich" (using Freund's famous concept). -
     Then I truly need discussions with my best friend and soul-mate,
     who always listens and is not taken aback because of his surprise.

KM: But I'm an old fox, I make my way, by now. I make myself familiar
     with the new scene.  Test it, with audience, et so forth. - Then
     it will be something I share. Not with many, but with some. -
     That's enough to go on.

KM: I surmise you have done quite a lot logical thinking, in steps
     that lead into unfamiliar territories. - There is no other way
     I can understand the brilliant way you sometimes catch triadicity
     in very few words.

KM: Triadic thinking, triadic scenery, is
     not something commonly seen or shared.
     - Not yet.

KM: With great appreciation,

KM: Kirsti

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