Reality and Abstraction – Part II – Imagination as the Partial Solution Between Abstraction and Reality

Below I transcribe the rest of the (adapted) quote and make some comments about the nature of imagination as the link between Abstraction and Reality.

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“Of this tragic dilemma [either to taste and not to know or to know and not to taste] imagination is the partial solution. In the enjoyment of a? great imaginative work we come nearest to experiencing as a concrete what can otherwise be?understood only as an abstraction. At this moment, for example, I am trying to?understand something very abstract indeed - the fading, vanishing of tasted?reality as we try to grasp it with the discursive reason. …. You may?reply that you never till this moment attached that 'meaning' to imagination. Of?course not. You are not looking for an abstract 'meaning' at all. If that was?what you were doing the imagination would be for you no true imagination but a mere metaphor.”?

“You were not knowing but tasting; but what you were tasting turns out to be a?universal principle. The moment we state this principle, we are admittedly back?in the world of abstraction. It is only while receiving the imaginative as a story?that you experience the principle concretely.”?

“When we translate, we get abstraction - or rather, dozens of abstractions. What?flows into you from the imagination is not truth but reality (truth is always about?something, but reality is that about which truth is), and, therefore, every?imagination becomes the father of innumerable truths on the abstract level. Imagination is?the mountain whence all the different streams arise which become truths down?here in the valley; in hac valle abstractionis. Or, if you prefer, imagination is the isthmus which connects the?peninsular world of thought with that vast continent we really belong to. It is?not, like truth, abstract; nor is it, like direct experience, bound to the?particular.”

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Some comments:

Now, how to define "imagination" for a scientifically minded person? It's useful to highlight its cognitive functions and role in creativity and problem-solving.

As we all know, imagination is the mental ability to form images, ideas, or concepts that are not immediately present to the senses or have not been directly experienced. From a scientific standpoint, imagination plays a key role in various cognitive processes, such as innovation, hypothesis generation, and theoretical modeling.

Imagination is essential in science for creating new hypotheses, visualizing complex systems, and problem-solving in ways that go beyond current knowledge or sensory data. It involves the brain’s capacity to combine memories, sensory input, and abstract thought to simulate novel situations or invent new ideas.

Comparing imagination with scientific language reveals how two seemingly different faculties—creative thinking and formal expression—play complementary roles in human understanding. ?

Imagination is the cognitive ability to create mental images, ideas, or scenarios that are not immediately present in reality. Scientific language aims to describe and communicate knowledge about the natural world.

?Imagination is not constrained by reality. It allows for the exploration of hypothetical, abstract, or fictional scenarios. Scientific language is bound by empirical evidence.

?Imagination thrives on flexibility. It allows the mind to leap beyond constraints and envision scenarios that may seem implausible or speculative. ?Scientific language is more rigid and structured. Its strength lies in its precision, avoiding ambiguity or emotional influence. ?

?Imagination often deals with abstract concepts, hypothetical situations, or speculative ideas. ?Scientific language is grounded in the empirical world

Many scientific breakthroughs begin with imaginative leaps. Scientific language is necessary to formalize imaginative ideas, describe experiments, and draw conclusions that can be shared with the scientific community.

In conclusion, imagination and scientific language are not opposing forces but rather complementary aspects of human thought.

Cheers,

Paulo