Self-Examination, or, the Aphorism
One thing that I have always admired about Nietzsche, Pascal et al. is the ability to write an aphorism. There is something I find profoundly interesting in the ability to state something clearly and lucidity, without argument, in a few short words. Others, like myself, have no capacity for brevity, and tend to drone on and on. Brevity, rather, pithiness is the heart of what makes Nietzsche brilliant. Well crafted sentences that are all-to-poingiant should be what people, stylistically, strive for. No one really has the interest to follow Hegelian paragraph-length sentences. I remember when writing my thesis for undergraduate college I came across a 'sentence' that I wrote that was over seventy words long. A stylistic abomination. By the time I came to the end of it, I had forgotten what I meant to say when I started the sentence. Perhaps a six-week-late New Year's resolution is in order: only to write in aphorisms. Hmm. . . this would greatly lessen my output, but perhaps afford me the time to write more often. Well, no one wants to argue anyway. . . we all write online to tell each other how brilliant we are. Maybe I will start today:
Or maybe not. I can't think of anything to say that wouldn't take thirty minutes and five paragraphs to type out...
I have been trying to perfect the art since I was eightteen.
I do not feel like I have made much headway. Still it is a good excercise.
"I would rather craft one well written sentence in English, etc." Indeed.
Argued by
Andrew Simone |
12:14 AM
I find it much easier to speak in a style like an aphorism than it is to write them. But since I talk quickly, it always sounds shorter than it is...
Argued by
beitiathustra |
8:44 AM
You say rhetoric like its a bad thing. Being able to communicate well includes being persuasive. But let me illustrate by analogy. At my last job I worked with a guy named Mike. He had this irritating habit of telling a story that would go on and on and I would always forget what he was talking about by the end. So I started saying to him "Mike, tell me the point in seven words or less, or I am walking away." It is important to say something briefly and succinctly without all the qualifications, arguments, and have people just get the point. Sometimes it sounds clever, but that isn't the point. [for me at least]
Argued by
beitiathustra |
9:00 AM
Yes, Adam, I know what you are saying about political rhetoric, it just strikes me as odd that one of the trivium would have acquired so bad a reputation. Saying things well and persuading is important - even if it is about political things. Some of Cicero's best speeches (orations) are political rhetoric, and all that we have of Demosthenes is political rhetoric. Sometimes the rabble needs rousing... but again, I do get your point.
[aside - I've been using this thing for six months and I still can't figure out how to link in comments either, don't feel bad. I'm sure you're on a steeper learning curve than I am]
Argued by
beitiathustra |
9:07 PM