Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts
To Generalise is to be an Idiot. William Blake on politics, disillusionment and abstraction
Jun 21, 2024
The podcast explores William Blake's criticism of abstraction in politics, economics, and the humanities. It discusses the impact of generalizations on alienation and disillusionment, as well as the rise of populism as a reaction to abstraction. By highlighting the need for alternative visions and reconnection with nature, the discussion advocates for a shift away from abstract thinking towards a more meaningful engagement with the world.
13:25
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Quick takeaways
- Abstractions in politics lead to alienation; focus on economic stats disconnects from real issues.
- Imagination counters abstraction, connects to life; alternative visions re-enchant world combat alienation.
Deep dives
Critique of Abstraction in Politics
The podcast explores how abstractions in politics, such as focusing on economic statistics like interest rates and inflation, can lead to alienation among people. It discusses William Blake's view that abstractions, when disconnected from the minute particulars of life, can alienate individuals. People feel detached when politics primarily revolves around impersonal concepts rather than direct communication.
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