Paradox in Emerson's explanation of Genius and Drill
Why is the relationship between "Genius and Drill," as Emerson explains it, paradoxical? Be sure to define paradox first.
3 comments:
Anonymous
said...
A paradox is something that seems untrue or illogical, yet sometimes it in fact proves to be true. The idea Emerson is trying to convey about Genius and Drill is somewhat paradoxical. With the Genius and Drill idea, Emerson is suggesting that a student must have a certain amount of drill and memorization for them to be Genius. There is no "Genius" without the basic foundation of knowledge which was a result from the Drill part of the paradox. This is a paradox because at first, it seems foreign and unconventional. It doesn't seem legitiment or like it would actually work. As Emerson explains it more, it becomes more understandable and reasonable. When one thinks about it, is there a bit of this Genius and Drill idea within us all?
A paradox is a statement that seemingly defies logic, but may be proven true upon later inspection. Emerson's description of the relationship between Genius and Drill is paradoxical because of how Emerson describes Genius. Emerson defines genius as a natural enthusiasm for learning that is not related to drill. Drill is the repetitive practice and accumulation of basic knowledge. The paradox is that while genius is supposedly antithetical to drill (natural enthusiasm comes naturally), genius in fact requires drill. A base level of knowledge must be established through repetition as a springboard into the area of genius, which uses the basic "tools" to craft new ideas.
As both Pete and Nenah stated, a paradox is when an idea may seem to be illogical or false but when examined further, is actually true. In Emerson's opinion, Genius and Drill can not exist without one another. In order for a person to have the "genius" or as Pete defines it, the natural enthusiasm for education, one must have the drill and determination to learn. Without the quality of drill in a human being, a person would never have the motivation or patience to learn anything. Therefore, Genius is impossible without drill for even if a person in naturally intellectual, if they do not commit themselves to retaining information, they will not become smarter.
3 comments:
A paradox is something that seems untrue or illogical, yet sometimes it in fact proves to be true. The idea Emerson is trying to convey about Genius and Drill is somewhat paradoxical. With the Genius and Drill idea, Emerson is suggesting that a student must have a certain amount of drill and memorization for them to be Genius. There is no "Genius" without the basic foundation of knowledge which was a result from the Drill part of the paradox. This is a paradox because at first, it seems foreign and unconventional. It doesn't seem legitiment or like it would actually work. As Emerson explains it more, it becomes more understandable and reasonable. When one thinks about it, is there a bit of this Genius and Drill idea within us all?
A paradox is a statement that seemingly defies logic, but may be proven true upon later inspection. Emerson's description of the relationship between Genius and Drill is paradoxical because of how Emerson describes Genius. Emerson defines genius as a natural enthusiasm for learning that is not related to drill. Drill is the repetitive practice and accumulation of basic knowledge. The paradox is that while genius is supposedly antithetical to drill (natural enthusiasm comes naturally), genius in fact requires drill. A base level of knowledge must be established through repetition as a springboard into the area of genius, which uses the basic "tools" to craft new ideas.
As both Pete and Nenah stated, a paradox is when an idea may seem to be illogical or false but when examined further, is actually true. In Emerson's opinion, Genius and Drill can not exist without one another. In order for a person to have the "genius" or as Pete defines it, the natural enthusiasm for education, one must have the drill and determination to learn. Without the quality of drill in a human being, a person would never have the motivation or patience to learn anything. Therefore, Genius is impossible without drill for even if a person in naturally intellectual, if they do not commit themselves to retaining information, they will not become smarter.
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