Philosophy Now Forum

by Chris Ormell

http://philosophynow.org/issues/9/Two_I ... status_quo

Philosophy Now wrote:by Chris Ormell

http://philosophynow.org/issues/9/Two_I ... status_quo

“Third, we need instruments to give us the kind of feedback necessary to keep on track. The ‘instrument’ we chiefly need, in my opinion, is a regular, reliable, usable kind of testing, not for ‘knowledge’ or ‘skills’ as such, but for the liveliness and genuine effectiveness with which the child can use her knowledge and skills in new, previously unseen, problem contexts. Genuine ‘knowledge’ in a microelectronic age is rather elusive. It is certainly not embodied in drilled, rote-learnt or memorised ‘information’. Genuine ‘skill’, on the other hand, is inexorably disappearing, as every area of modern life is being systematical ly de-skilled. What increasingly takes the place of ‘knowledge’ is an awareness of the shape and density of reality in a given area. ‘Skill’ becomes increasingly simply a zest to achieve results of a particular kind. (You don’t need much ‘skill’ to achieve them, but you do need to want to do it, and to be prepared to struggle to get it right.)”
http://philosophynow.org/issues/9/Two_I ... status_quo

The paragraph above is the last paragraph in the article. Read the paragraph carefully. Read it several times. Amazing!

Regarding the author’s concepts of ‘knowledge’ and ‘skill,’ I love Oltremare by Ludovico Einaudi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKJ5sKxjgK4 Regarding ‘knowledge,’ I have “an awareness of the shape and density of” Oltremare from listening to the YouTube performance. Regarding ‘skill,’ I definitely “have a zest” to play Oltremare on the piano. I “want to” play the piece; I’m “prepared to struggle to get it right.” Imagine me now seated at the piano: How do I even practice Oltremare?

Since I can’t read music and have never had any piano lessons, do you think it is possible that I could ever play Oltremare by strictly following the author’s conditions?

Or is it not obvious that I need some knowledge ( knowing how to read the composer's Oltremare in musical language) so that I can even begin to practice the piece?

I'm amazed that Rick Lewis even published Ormell's article (it is that worthless).

tbieter wrote:

Philosophy Now wrote:by Chris Ormell

http://philosophynow.org/issues/9/Two_I ... status_quo

“Third, we need instruments to give us the kind of feedback necessary to keep on track. The ‘instrument’ we chiefly need, in my opinion, is a regular, reliable, usable kind of testing, not for ‘knowledge’ or ‘skills’ as such, but for the liveliness and genuine effectiveness with which the child can use her knowledge and skills in new, previously unseen, problem contexts. Genuine ‘knowledge’ in a microelectronic age is rather elusive. It is certainly not embodied in drilled, rote-learnt or memorised ‘information’. Genuine ‘skill’, on the other hand, is inexorably disappearing, as every area of modern life is being systematical ly de-skilled. What increasingly takes the place of ‘knowledge’ is an awareness of the shape and density of reality in a given area. ‘Skill’ becomes increasingly simply a zest to achieve results of a particular kind. (You don’t need much ‘skill’ to achieve them, but you do need to want to do it, and to be prepared to struggle to get it right.)”
http://philosophynow.org/issues/9/Two_I ... status_quo

The paragraph above is the last paragraph in the article. Read the paragraph carefully. Read it several times. Amazing!

Regarding the author’s concepts of ‘knowledge’ and ‘skill,’ I love Oltremare by Ludovico Einaudi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKJ5sKxjgK4 Regarding ‘knowledge,’ I have “an awareness of the shape and density of” Oltremare from listening to the YouTube performance. Regarding ‘skill,’ I definitely “have a zest” to play Oltremare on the piano. I “want to” play the piece; I’m “prepared to struggle to get it right.” Imagine me now seated at the piano: How do I even practice Oltremare?

Since I can’t read music and have never had any piano lessons, do you think it is possible that I could ever play Oltremare by strictly following the author’s conditions?

Or is it not obvious that I need some knowledge ( knowing how to read the composer's Oltremare in musical language) so that I can even begin to practice the piece?

I'm amazed that Rick Lewis even published Ormell's article (it is that worthless).

I understand what you are saying Tom, but I think you are missing the point. Let me ask you this, even if you knew how to play the piano, and could play Oltremare, what are the chances you could write something as beautiful as this piece of music? I think it is safe to say there are more artists who can play Oltremare than can write music of this caliber. Also, I am sure there are those who have never had formal training who could write a piece of Music like this. It is not so much the skill that is needed, (yes, skill is a plus but that can be learned easy enough) it is the freedom one feels when creativity is at it's best.

I know you value skill and an education, and I am not saying those things aren't important...they are. But just as important is creativity. I think society values creativity less than knowledge. It is a true problem because people are led to think creativity is "worthless."

I understood this paragraph and did not think it was worthless. It made me feel sad that you thought it was. It devalued my creative spirit. Not trying to sway your emotions...as you know I am stronger than that and my feelings don't get hurt easily...I am just trying to show what society does to artistic types. It is an underlying tension we feel that tells us "DON'T! STOP! You are wasting your life thinking creatively!" This is what artistic types are up against everyday of their lives. All through school, all through adulthood. We are only encouraged when we combine our creativity with skill and create something someone can appreciate. But the hours, years spent creating up to the point of completing a work of art to be appreciated is discouraged by society. It is almost unbearable the lack of support for emerging artists. Many artists quit because of the sentiment "worthless". They choose to conform because it is hard being an outcast.

And I want to add, that I am pleased you are on an 'art appreciation" journey. I don't want to discourage you...but I also would like to remind you that this isn't a process you do to study for a test. It isn't a "them against me" thing either. It is a time for you to learn to let go of the thought, "Study is good, folly is not." There is simple nothing wrong with folly. It is how you get to creativity. Then comes skill after that.

Anyway, you already have enough knowledge...I just wish I could get my hands on you to force some folly down your throat! LOL