It Takes One to Know One, Part I
August 29th 2009 07:01
I have been doing a lot of thinking recently, and a lot of observing (yeah I know, what's new). Something that has become clear to me is the truth of the saying, "it takes one to know one". Yes I know this comment is often used in jest, for example:
Kid 1: You're an idiot
Kid 2: Takes one to know one
but I think the saying has a far more profound truth as well. In fact, it could really sum up the whole idea of the subjectivity of truth and reality, and why idealists such Schopenhauer believe that the world is Will.
For example, I see myself as a philosopher in that I am concerned with ideas, with possibilities and with principles. This is actually a trait very typical of the introverted thinker. As such, anyone who is drawn to or resonates with my thoughts must be utilising introverted thought. If they do not have the capacity or interest for introverted thought in the way that I do, then what I am saying will fly right over their head, their eyes will glaze over and I will most likely be met with a blank look.
I used to think this lack of understanding I encountered in other people was due to a lack of intelligence on their part, but this is not always so. I have come across very very intelligent people who have next to no interest in what I have to say. Why is this? Well, it's very often because they are people who prefer extroverted thinking. These people are concerned less with abstract principles, and more concerned with externals that exist in the world. A quote which sums up, to me, this extroverted thought is one from Karl Marx:
Now that attitude is just about incommensurable with mine. If I was to meet Karl Marx, it is likely that he would see my opinions as kind of useless or irrelevant. He might say, stop trying to interpret the world and start trying to change it.
I don't want to make this solely about the introvert/extrovert difference, however I think it is a very good example of how it takes one to know one. I'll give more examples, and there are plenty of them, next time.
Kid 1: You're an idiot
Kid 2: Takes one to know one
but I think the saying has a far more profound truth as well. In fact, it could really sum up the whole idea of the subjectivity of truth and reality, and why idealists such Schopenhauer believe that the world is Will.
For example, I see myself as a philosopher in that I am concerned with ideas, with possibilities and with principles. This is actually a trait very typical of the introverted thinker. As such, anyone who is drawn to or resonates with my thoughts must be utilising introverted thought. If they do not have the capacity or interest for introverted thought in the way that I do, then what I am saying will fly right over their head, their eyes will glaze over and I will most likely be met with a blank look.
I used to think this lack of understanding I encountered in other people was due to a lack of intelligence on their part, but this is not always so. I have come across very very intelligent people who have next to no interest in what I have to say. Why is this? Well, it's very often because they are people who prefer extroverted thinking. These people are concerned less with abstract principles, and more concerned with externals that exist in the world. A quote which sums up, to me, this extroverted thought is one from Karl Marx:
The philosophers have only interpreted the world in different ways. The point is, however, to change it.
Now that attitude is just about incommensurable with mine. If I was to meet Karl Marx, it is likely that he would see my opinions as kind of useless or irrelevant. He might say, stop trying to interpret the world and start trying to change it.
I don't want to make this solely about the introvert/extrovert difference, however I think it is a very good example of how it takes one to know one. I'll give more examples, and there are plenty of them, next time.
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