This is not to make the apology for superficiality - my aim is rather to understand its correct use in everyday human survival.
Why should one need superficiality? I don't know the full answer, but here are some pointers.
According to Arthur Koestler (1), the most-cited authority on creativity, every creative act involves bisociation, a process that brings together and combines previously unrelated ideas. He contrasts bisociation with association, saying that association refers to previously established connections among ideas but that bisociation involves making entirely new connections among ideas.
Koestler’s definition addresses all forms of creativity, whether in art, science or humor.
Some interesting thought by Edward de Bono on 'Lateral thinking' suggest that 'some people always seem to be having new ideas while others of equal intelligence never do..' Ref. 'The use of Lateral thinking', 1967.
So, what does this have to do with superficiality at all? I still do not know the full answer. Let me dissociate on in the hope to find new pointers.
‘Deeper Man’, a book by Bennett I read some years ago on the subject of spiritual life and psychology brings about the concepts of depth and superficiality in greater light. It is clearly by dissociation that I elaborate on the subject.
‘Deeper man’, one of the books on the numerous learnings of Gurdjieff by John G. Bennett’s , gave me wonderful answers to a permanent quest – even three years after reading. It seems all to happen by some kind of resonnance. It worked on my subconscious.
Accepting this is somehow superficial but liberating!
Please accept that I will not go deeper into his writings but tell more about his work.
John Godolphin Bennett (1897-1974), was a British scientist, mathematician and philosopher who integrated scientific research with studies of Asiatic languages and religions. Throughout his life, Bennett travelled widely and met many little-known but important spiritual leaders. In the early 1920s, he was introduced to G.I. Gurdjieff and P.D. Ouspensky, who both became central guiding forces in his life. A man of extraordinary insight and accomplishment, Mr. Bennett worked with G.I. Gurdjieff and P.D. Ouspensky, traveled extensively in Central Asia, and came into contact with many of the world’s spiritual leaders. Having a remarkable ability to express the most complex ideas with conciseness and clarity, Bennett’s books and talks reveal a man who was at home in the worlds of spirit, matter, and time. Some words that resonate as I try to find some excuse fore indulging in worlds that are too intricate and from which I need to escape from. A quote: ‘Man is this peculiar creature that cannot live automatically according to his nature. He has, himself, to make himself human’. The thoughts grow at every new page.
Deeper Man. Author: Bennett, J.G. ( Compiled And Edited by A.G.E. Blake). London: Turnstone Books, 1978. HC w/ dust jacket, 254 pp.
Another book (unread) by Bennett: ‘Gurdjieff: Making A New World’.
Koestler, A., The Act of Creation (London: Hutchinson & Co, 1964)
Bohm, D., On Creativity (London and New York: Routledge, 1998)
Poynor, R. http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/13424-2.html
Alexander, C. http://www.patternlanguage.com
De Bono, E. 'The use of Lateral thinking', 1967.
