I don't think 'it's too complicated' is really a valid excuse for not thinking about something. But I think things are more complicated than I understand, too. I haven't thought about as many of the things that you think about as a poli sci major, or that you mention here. I wish I understood those things better. I feel like saying that thinking about something "would break your head" is more condescending to yourself than anything I would say.
But thinking only about concrete things means you end up reaching wrong conclusions. You have to use 'horizontal' and 'vertical' thinking together to reach anything more true...
I don't expect you to do anything, and I know we're not the same person, but I guess I didn't realize that you thought you "can't make sense" of things on the "bigger scale". I mean, by all means, define the argument on your own terms, but they sound like terms that I think are unproductive, because my interest is in reaching something more true, and so I can't participate other than to disagree, and then I piss you off. And so I don't know what else to say. I can't argue on your terms. I could try, and it's not even that I think I'm incapable of thinking that way, or that it's somehow ingrained in my personality not to, although it would be difficult because I'm not in the habit of doing it, but I simply have no desire to, because I have yet to see the value in not talking about the "big ideas", if that's what you're suggesting.
Oh, I think politicians are probably a bit crazy too, but then, I think insanity is culturally defined as what's "abnormal" or "deviant" in mental behavior. And then I'd want to find the pattern that would drive people of certain mental persuasions to politics. Habits are irrational, and it's a large part of how people function...even habits of thought. I'm not saying I see insanity as insignificant. But my drive would be to explain it. Which doesn't mean I can't also find it amusing.
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Date: 2008-10-27 12:40 am (UTC)But thinking only about concrete things means you end up reaching wrong conclusions. You have to use 'horizontal' and 'vertical' thinking together to reach anything more true...
I don't expect you to do anything, and I know we're not the same person, but I guess I didn't realize that you thought you "can't make sense" of things on the "bigger scale". I mean, by all means, define the argument on your own terms, but they sound like terms that I think are unproductive, because my interest is in reaching something more true, and so I can't participate other than to disagree, and then I piss you off. And so I don't know what else to say. I can't argue on your terms. I could try, and it's not even that I think I'm incapable of thinking that way, or that it's somehow ingrained in my personality not to, although it would be difficult because I'm not in the habit of doing it, but I simply have no desire to, because I have yet to see the value in not talking about the "big ideas", if that's what you're suggesting.
Oh, I think politicians are probably a bit crazy too, but then, I think insanity is culturally defined as what's "abnormal" or "deviant" in mental behavior. And then I'd want to find the pattern that would drive people of certain mental persuasions to politics. Habits are irrational, and it's a large part of how people function...even habits of thought. I'm not saying I see insanity as insignificant. But my drive would be to explain it. Which doesn't mean I can't also find it amusing.
Anyway, it's your life, do what you will.