Do you see a connection between poetry and philosophy?
By urbandekay
@urbandekay (18278)
5 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
8 Jul 11
Apart from the fact that poets often try to express their own philosophy through the medium, I don't think there really is any definite connection. In logical terms, a Venn diagram might express: "Most philosophers admit to studying philosophy. Some people who call themselves poets write poetry. Some philosophers aspire to be poets and many poets aspire to philosophy."
The only real connection is that they both begin with a P (and if you know a more substantial one, then "urine the know") ... and both end with a Y (very often "Why are we here?")
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jul 11
A poet, perhaps, tries to capture in words what words alone cannot express. I am thinking a philosopher too attempts the impossible to describe how our words grasp the world. Perhaps both struggle with the limits of language. Someone once said, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
all the best urban
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
9 Jul 11
That both attempt to express the inexpressible is something which, now that you mention it, seems so obvious that I wonder that I didn't think to say it. Thank you for pointing it out!
There are times, perhaps (more than we realise) when we take for granted things like the air we breathe, the language we use and the fact that God exists and actually allow ourselves to be limited without being conscious of it.
It is possible to think beyond the limits of what words can express but many people subconsciously reject that kind of thinking simply because they cannot put their thoughts into words. It is only when they encounter and are touched by a poet (or art in general) that they become aware of the obvious (and the not so obvious) as a reality and a thing to be held and wondered at.
I am now not sure whether Wittgenstein truly meant that, without the words to formulate the idea, the idea can never emerge or whether he was being ironic. The statement may not have been intended to be taken quite at its face value: in other words, it might be seen as a challenge (or even as a kind of witticism - as an artist might solemnly assert that, yes, his pictures are no more than paint on canvas ... but with a wink in his voice that not everyone sees).
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jul 11
"...now that you mention it, seems so obvious"
I am tempted to observe that philosophy is often uncovering that which is hidden by being in plain view!
I take Wittgenstein's statement to be quite literal, as part of his philosophy of language. I have heard that the Eskimo believe the English have 100 words for rain. Such fine grained categories of reality lead to a richer world and greater linguistic ability goes hand in hand with greater conceptual ability, leading to a broader and deeper world
all the best urban
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
9 Jul 11
I promise, i did try my utmost best to see the difference, but sorry.
Nope, i cannot really see anything at all.
Nope.
@headhunter525 (3548)
• India
9 Jul 11
I think poetry attempts to express philosophical ideas in a more artistic manner.
@rameshchow (4426)
• India
10 Jul 11
no need to think much more about it. Philosophy can explain about a particular topic in detail. But poetry is in a flow like a song. It creates a feel. We can easily express our feelings and good thoughts by using a poetry. But it can not possible through philosophy. Philosophy is a detail description.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
10 Jul 11
So, you see philosophy as just a detailed description?
all the best urban
