This-essay is a7601121.htm which is available at the
web-site www.essayz.com. See more notes at the bottom.
Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay
By-Months By-Years By-Words
Webs of Like-&-Un-Like ESSAYS <==> Like-&-UN-Like This-One
==========================================================
%INSIGHT WITHOUT DATA 760112
The poet often has an insight---without data to prove
that the insight is true. The poet appeals to the
experience of the reader. The good poet says for the
reader---what the reader has experienced, but has been
unable to verbalize. Few people would attempt to prove a
poem true through statistical analysis of data gathered
through a controlled experimental situation. Thus do
humanists accept insight without data to support the
insight.
If the poet's insights are offered within the context
of the scientific community, it is likely that they will
not be accepted without proper substantiation. Some
people may even be unwilling to accept the insights as
tentative hypotheses, until they are shown data upon which
to base such hypotheses. The lack of appreciation for
poetic insights is likely to be especially acute if the
poet is perceived to be a scientist who is engaged in
sloppy scientific work. In such instances the poet is
likely to be asked to come back with computer print-outs
presenting proof of the assertions made---via statistical
analysis of substantial data.
What if the insights without data are of great
political significance? Are decisions and actions to be
suspended, while the controlled experiments and
statistical analysis are completed? Can life continue as
if the insights had not yet occurred? If not, what is the
responsible and helpful way to regard unsubstantiated
insights? Suppose many people with common sense regard
the insights as helpful, even though not scientifically
substantiated? Is common sense to be held hostage by
self-conscious objective scientific analysis, lest
political decisions be made on the basis of
unsubstantiated poetic insights?
Often those who are concerned with---proof become so
compulsively concerned with evidence that they gather data
without insights. There is no rhyme, rhythm, nor reason
which guides their heart; apart from the love of data of a
particular sort. If the infatuation is total, it will be
impossible to see the hidden weaknesses, flaws, and biases
in the object of affection. Such relationships are rarely
fruitful, and when they are fruitful the progeny is
monstrous.
(c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in
www.essayz.com Search for Integrity and Honesty
(On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)
==========================================================
Lines beginning with a percent sign are KEYWORDS for use
in ESSAY-System Searches. Their terminal digits are dates
of writing in the format @yymmdd#, where @ = a means 99,
@ = b means 20, and # = is a within-date essay-count.
Links to date-adjacent essays are near page top & bottom.
Find the following links by clicking on CENTER when CENTER
near the top or bottom of a web page of essayz.com
1. Go to HOME PAGE of essayz.com
2. Find brief-essays via keywords
3. Find brief-essay about ADDICTION
4. Search-Helps related to ABOVE-LINK
5. GoTo Action & Information Center
6. Find Regular-Essays via Year/Month
7. Find Regular-Essays via Word-Starts
8. Find Regular-Essay about LOVE
This-essay is a7601121.htm which is available at the
web-site www.essayz.com. These 5 lines echo top lines.
Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay
By-Months By-Years By-Words
Webs of Like-&-Un-Like ESSAYS <==> Like-&-UN-Like This-One