"All there is to thinking is seeing something noticeable, which makes you see something you weren't noticing, which makes you see something that isn't even visible"
About this Quote
The quote by Leo Strauss offers a profound commentary on the nature of thinking and perception. It suggests that thinking is not a straightforward procedure but rather a dynamic act that includes a layered approach to understanding and analysis. Initially glimpse, thinking starts with observing something evident or noticeable in our immediate environment or experiences. This preliminary perception could be an occasion, a statement, or any phenomenon that catches our attention because of its unique presence or strange nature.
Nevertheless, the essence of thinking, as Strauss presumes, is not contained in merely noticing what appears. It is in the next step: letting this initial observation guide us to see something that we weren't previously observing. This indicates that believing involves delving deeper into the preliminary observation to reveal underlying patterns, connections, or meanings that were not right away obvious. It is about moving beyond the surface to explore hidden elements or ramifications.
The final part of Strauss's quote takes this procedure an action further, suggesting that real thinking enables us to see something "that isn't even noticeable". This suggests a creative or abstract dimension to thinking, where one transcends the tangible and the direct to picture concepts, ideas, or truths that are abstract or philosophical in nature. It could include grappling with theoretical constructs, ethical concepts, or prospective results that can not be directly observed but are nonetheless real in their effect or significance.
In essence, Strauss is highlighting the transformative power of believing as a process that starts with simple observation but can lead to extensive insights and understandings that shape our comprehension of the world. It's an iterative and expansive journey from the concrete to the abstract, stressing the significance of curiosity, reflection, and imagination in the pursuit of understanding and knowledge.