When the World Goes Cognitive

It seems to me that in the modern world we only have negative notions for non-understanding. Science has run its race and won: We have become scientific in our approach to most things in life. We want to understand everything.

Being scientific is fine when we talk about things which are – and should be – the object of science. Human existence is, however, not just an object of science. The real human phenonema such as love, hope, courage, happiness, sorrow do not depend on understanding, they run ahead of understanding. Such phenonema might even show themselves despite understanding, despite the rational.

I consider this claim about human phenonema to be non-controversial. What is hard is, however, to identify and take proper precautions where scientific thought threatens to invade human life in all its subtle ways. An example is the modern CV-culture and its academic offspring: Narrative therapy. This culture focuses on what self-understanding you can establish and put words to.

But what if you aren’t meant to understand your own life? What if – fundamentally – you just don’t get it and never will? After all, it was no rationale choice of yours being born in the first place. Being too hung up on understanding degrades life – and reduces creativity. Magic, mystery and adventure does not come from understanding, it comes from imagination combined with courage and hard work.

Previously we did have positive notions for non-understanding. The notion “leap of faith”– which is Christian by origin – indicates such a notion. No one would talk about a “leap of understanding”. When you have understood, you don’t need to leap. But in most instances in life you will have to leap, before understanding.

 

Image Source: Faith & Home

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