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DEWEY_BALANCE

                                             July    20, 2021
                                             December 4, 2021

John Dewey, "Experimental Logic" (1916):

    "The historical point of view describes the sequence; the
    normative follows the history to its conclusion, and then
    turns back and judges each historical step by viewing it in
    reference to its own outcome."

    "In the course of changing experience we keep our
    balance in moving from situations of an affectional
    quality to those which are practical or appreciative
    or reflective, because we bear constantly in mind the
    context in which any particular distinction presents
    itself.    ..."

    "We keep our footing as we move from one attitude to another,
    from one characteristic quality to another, because of the
    position occupied in the whole movement by the particular
    function in which we are engaged."


That's a nice way of phrasing it, I think,
when juggling thoughts and circumstances:

  "We keep our balance"

The idea of "balance", as usually presented,
usually turns me off: moderate, safe, in-between,
uncommitted.

I can be convinced about a need for "balance",
but only reluctantly.

But the metaphor of maintaining your footing
on difficult, uneven ground, that has more appeal
to me--

   Balancing is something I can do:
   an active thing you maintain as you go.
   Not some static condition.




    John Dewey, "Experimental Logic" (1916):

       "Thought is accessory as
       accomplice, not as addendum."






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