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North Whitehead, Alfred – The nature of discovery and learning
Identifier
025738
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Process and Reality - Part I The Speculative Scheme
Chapter I - Speculative Philosophy
Section II
The true method of discovery is like the flight of an aeroplane. It starts from the ground of particular observation; it makes a flight in the thin air of imaginative generalization; and it again lands for renewed observation rendered acute by rational interpretation. The reason for the success of this method of imaginative rationalization is that, when the method of difference fails, factors which are constantly present may yet be observed under the influence of imaginative thought. Such thought supplies the differences which the direct observation lacks. It can even play with inconsistency; and can thus throw light on the consistent, and persistent, elements in experience by comparison with what in imagination is inconsistent with them. The negative judgment is the peak of mentality.
The source of the experience
North Whitehead, AlfredConcepts, symbols and science items
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Commonsteps
Improving perceptionLearning - extraction
Learning - synthesis
Learning - synthesis, what can go wrong
Learning - understanding and recognition
Learning - verification