UP TALKS | A Poetics of the Literary Work: In Sum

Summary

This script delves into the profound connection between imagination, language, and the human quest for truth and meaning. It posits that imagination is the driving force behind great thinkers and the essence of humanity's nature. Language, as a tool of imagination, shapes our perception of reality and allows us to express our experiences and emotions. The script also discusses the role of poetry and literature in shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it, emphasizing the importance of a writer's authentic voice in reflecting the cultural and historical context of their country.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Imagination is essential for thinking and intuition; without it, concepts are empty and intuitions are blind.
• 🧠 Great thinkers, scientists, inventors, and artists are characterized by their vigorous imagination, which is a key to humanity's future.
• 🔎 The quest for truth is inherent to human nature, and the pursuit of knowledge is a fundamental part of being human.
• 🗣️ Language can be abused, and when it is, it distorts truth and can deceive both the speaker and the listener.
• 🌐 The universal plane is a site of everlasting quest and questioning, not a realm of eternal verities.
• 🤔 The quest for meaning is a personal journey that is intertwined with the quest for truth in nature and human affairs.
• 📚 Our knowledge is limited and often based on hypotheses or consensus among experts, acknowledging the lifespan of theories and the potential for ambiguity.
• 🌍 Our worldview, moral compass, values, and ideals are shaped by our experiences and the truths we perceive.
• 🎭 Language is a conceptual and evocative system of representation, crucial for translating thoughts and feelings into a shared understanding.
• 📖 The poem or literary work is a creation of language and imagination, reflecting the poet's own experience and interpretation of life.
• 🌐 The literary work humanizes us by presenting human experiences and emotions, connecting readers across time and culture.

Q & A

What is the relationship between imagination and thinking according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that imagination and thinking are deeply interconnected, stating that without imagination, there is no thinking or intuition. Imagination is essential for the formation of concepts and is vital for the pursuits of great thinkers, scientists, inventors, and artists.

How does the speaker define the essence of being human?

The speaker defines the essence of being human as the quest for truth and knowledge. According to the speaker, only the truth satisfies and fulfills human nature, making truth-seeking a fundamental aspect of human existence.

What does the speaker say about the role of language in conveying truth?

The speaker emphasizes that language inherently speaks truth, and the abuse of language, such as lying, distorts both self and others. Language is a tool that can translate thoughts and perceptions into an understandable form, and it is the foundation of meaningful human communication.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between language and imagination?

The speaker describes language and imagination as being one and the same, as language is a product of the imagination. Through language, imagination makes abstract concepts real to the mind, allowing for the expression of experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

What is the significance of poetry and literary work according to the speaker?

Poetry and literary work are seen as products of both language and imagination. The speaker argues that the poem is not just written in language but is shaped by it, breathing life into words and giving meaning to human experiences.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'poetic sense'?

The 'poetic sense' refers to a deep sense of reality that is expressed through language. It is the inherent ability of language to speak truth and convey the meaningfulness of human experience, making it the foundation of poetic expression.

How does the speaker view the role of a poet in relation to their culture and language?

The speaker views the poet as someone who shapes and forges language to reflect the experiences of their culture and historical context. The poet's work is an interpretation of their own experience, which contributes to the cultural and literary tradition of their country.

What is the relationship between a reader and a literary work as described by the speaker?

The speaker explains that a reader's interpretation of a literary work is influenced by their own life experiences and cultural background. The poem or literary work achieves a life of its own through the reader's imaginative engagement, making each reading a unique interpretation.

What is the speaker's perspective on the formal aspects of writing?

While the speaker acknowledges the importance of formal excellence in writing, they caution against a purely formalist perspective. Such an approach, according to the speaker, would strip the literary work of its cultural and emotional depth, which are essential for conveying the lived experiences of a people.

How does the speaker describe the role of literature in shaping a nation's identity?

The speaker describes literature as the 'racial memory' of a nation, asserting that a country's strength lies in the memory preserved through its literature. Writers, by creating literary works, help forge a sense of national identity and contribute to the collective imagination of a people.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Imagination and the Quest for Truth

The first paragraph emphasizes the critical role of imagination in the human pursuit of truth and knowledge. It posits that without imagination, there is no thinking or intuition, and great thinkers, scientists, inventors, and artists are characterized by their robust imagination. The text discusses the interplay between concepts and intuition, suggesting that both are necessary for a comprehensive understanding. It also touches on the idea that humanity's essence lies in its quest for truth, which is intrinsic to human nature. The paragraph further explores the misuse of language and its consequences, highlighting the importance of truth in communication and the individual's quest for personal meaning and truth in their experiences.

05:02

📚 Language as the Tool of Imagination

The second paragraph delves into the relationship between language and imagination, describing language as a conceptual and evocative system of representation that allows us to articulate our thoughts and feelings about the world. It discusses the limitations of individual perception and the transcendental nature of reality beyond our minds. The paragraph also examines the power of words to evoke images and meanings, and how these are shaped by our experiences and cultural context. The role of the poet and the literary work as a fusion of language and imagination is explored, with the poet forging a unique path through the 'wilderness of language' to create meaningful works that reflect lived or imagined experiences.

10:07

🎭 The Poem as a Living Literary Experience

The third paragraph discusses the poem as a living embodiment of the poet's experience and imagination, emphasizing that the essence of a literary work lies in its meaningfulness and the ability to resonate with readers on a personal level. It explains how the poem is not just a collection of words but a living world that the poet breathes life into. The paragraph also addresses the idea that the poem's power to persuade and move readers is derived from the poet's personal stance or perspective, which is the central organizing principle of the work. The discussion extends to the reader's role in interpreting the poem, suggesting that each reader's understanding is influenced by their own life experiences and cultural context.

15:08

🌐 Philippine Literature as a Cultural Tapestry

The final paragraph reflects on the nature of Philippine literature, likening it to an archipelago of letters with multiple languages, including English and Spanish, that have been assimilated into regional languages over time. It argues that any language can express the full range of human thought and experience, given the evocative power of imagination. The paragraph also touches on the idea that the writer's familiarity with multiple languages can be advantageous in expressing insights more clearly. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of literature as a form of national memory and the writer's role in shaping the country's sense of identity and destiny through their work.

Keywords

💡Imagination

Imagination is the faculty of forming new ideas or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses. In the video's context, it is portrayed as an essential component of human cognition, linked to thinking, intuition, and creativity. It is highlighted as a driving force behind great thinkers, scientists, inventors, and artists, and is considered vital for humanity's salvation.

💡Concepts and Intuitions

Concepts are abstract ideas derived from particular instances, while intuitions are immediate apprehensions without conscious reasoning. The script discusses the interdependence of concepts and intuitions, stating that concepts without intuition are empty and intuitions without concepts are blind, emphasizing the balance needed for profound understanding.

💡Truth

Truth, in the video, is presented as the pursuit of knowledge and understanding that defines human nature. It is the ultimate goal of human inquiry, and the satisfaction derived from discovering truth is said to fulfill one's essence. The concept is explored in relation to language, where the truthfulness of language is contrasted with the liar who abuses it.

💡Language

Language is described as a conceptual and evocative system of representation, essential for translating thoughts and feelings into communicable forms. The video underscores the role of language as a product of imagination, highlighting its power to shape our perception of reality and to evoke images that illuminate abstract concepts.

💡Poetics

Poetics refers to the theory or art of writing poetry, including its aesthetic principles and the use of language to create meaning. The script discusses poetics in relation to the literary work, suggesting that the interplay of words in a writer's world brings out the significance of their work.

💡Meaning

Meaning, in the context of the video, is the significance or sense derived from one's experiences and interpretations. It is tied to the quest for truth and the personal aspect of understanding the world. The script suggests that meaning is subjective and can vary based on individual experiences and cultural contexts.

💡Literary Work

A literary work is a piece of written art, such as a poem or novel, that uses language to express complex ideas and emotions. The video discusses the literary work as a creation of the poet's imagination and experience, which becomes a living world that can be interpreted and experienced by readers.

💡Interpretation

Interpretation is the act of explaining or understanding the meaning of something, such as a text or an experience. The script mentions that interpretation is a personal and imaginative process, where readers draw from their own experiences to understand and be moved by a literary work.

💡Poetry

Poetry is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke emotions, ideas, or images. In the video, poetry is presented as a universal term for imaginative literature, with the poet being a figure for all writers who use language to forge their own paths through the wilderness of words.

💡Experience

Experience in the video is depicted as the foundation of knowledge and understanding. It is through experience, either lived or imagined, that individuals derive meaning and form their worldviews. The script emphasizes the importance of experience in shaping our reality and our ability to perceive and interpret truth.

💡Literary Tradition

Literary tradition refers to the accumulated body of works and the conventions, themes, and styles that characterize a culture's literature over time. The video touches on the idea that a poet's work contributes to and is influenced by the literary tradition of their country, reflecting and shaping the national consciousness.

Highlights

Imagination is essential for thinking and intuition, and without it, concepts are empty and intuitions are blind.

Great thinkers, scientists, inventors, and artists are characterized by their vigorous imagination.

Imagination is the genius that will save humanity and the earth.

Man is the only being that seeks truth in knowledge, which is his essence.

The abuse of language can deceive oneself and others, and degrade one's nature.

The universal plain is a site of everlasting quest and questioning, not a realm of eternal verities.

The quest for meaning is personal and is part of the quest for the truth of things in nature and human affairs.

Our knowing is limited and often based on hypotheses or consensus among experts in a scientific field.

A theory has a certain lifespan and can be impeded by ambiguity, requiring a grip on possible interpretations.

Our worldview, moral compass, values, ideals, and faith are shaped by our truth and experiences.

Nothing becomes real until it is experienced, as stated by John Keats.

Language is a conceptual and evocative system of representation, translating our perception of reality.

Language and imagination are intertwined, with language being the finest invention of imagination.

The poem or literary work is a work of language and imagination, shaped by the poet's experience and interpretation.

The poem's meaningfulness or 'diva' is its soul or spirit, and it varies from reader to reader based on their experience.

Literature humanizes us by reflecting on human experiences and emotions.

The poet's mood, stance, or viewpoint governs the experience depicted in their work.

Philippine literature is an archipelago of letters, with many languages contributing to its richness.

Any language can express anything the mind seeks to grasp, given the evocative power of imagination.

The writer's native tongue and English may provide a distinct advantage in expressing insights more clearly.

Literature is the racial memory of a country, and a country's strength lies in its people's memory.

The writer stands on their own ground, forging language to grasp their authentic self.

The poet and scholar may be the best critic and interpreter of their own country's literature.

Transcripts

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this dock has to do with a poetics of

the literary work first of all we I

would like to say mine and imagination

are one without imagination

there is no thinking nor intuition

beyond concept concepts without

intuition or empty says the manual can't

intuitions without concept are blind all

great thinkers scientists inventors

artists are men and women of vigorous

imagination in the end it is the genius

or two tutelary spirit in imagination

shall save humanity and earth man is the

only being among other beings on earth

that seeks truth in knowledge truth

seeking then is his being or essence as

human only the truth satisfies and

fulfills his nature every man her sole

responsibility for and answers to his

being the liar abuses language for the

word by itself speaks truth honor is

honor murder is murdered he deceives

himself and others as well and degrees

his own nature when he abuses language

what we call the universal plain is not

the realm of eternal verities but rather

the site of everlasting quest and

questioning where there are no questions

the quest ceases what meaning dwells in

one's experience of

is it truth as its interpretation the

quest for meaning is the personal aspect

of the quest for the truth of things in

nature and in human affairs but one's

meaning isn't always truth all our

knowing is limited in a given scientific

field one has either a hypothesis as the

most probable meaning of an empirical

observation or the truth of a theory by

consensus among scientists or experts in

the specific field of that theory yet

even there a theory has a certain

lifespan where an ambiguity impedes

thinking we grow to have a grip on a

possible interpretation of an

observation or conjecture from lives

lived or imagined we draw our worldview

moral compass values ideals faith our

truth is there

we love goodness beauty or one what we

call our world is what we perceive or

into it in our day-to-day living

nothing ever becomes real says John

Keats until it is experience a world he

says is the veil of soul making we

create our selves all the meaningfulness

of our human condition Springs from what

we take was the truth in our experience

the imagination our minds profound thus

faculty or power makes real

to the mind what it abstracts us the

truth in our experience from there we

weave the words of a language to give it

an apprehensible form within the writers

world we've the interplay words bears

out his meaning side side significance

our reality is evermore only a human

reality individually we have no access

to the consciousness of the other person

or animal a cat perception of its living

reality is its own what is beyond the

minds reaches transcendental or mystical

if you like the own imagination were no

words break let's talk about language

language a conceptual evocative system

of representation is our only means to

translate into an apprehensible verbal

form our thoughts and feelings about our

world in our own time and culture of

course other than words there are other

forms of language numbers signs symbols

graphs language is the finest invention

of the imagination

thus language and imagination are one in

speech and writing language translates

that is to say fairies across its words

our perception of reality our worlds are

concepts abstractions the word evokes an

image the image lights up its meaning

say justice an abstraction

what image in your mind does it evoke

that image lights of the can

the imagination to repeat makes real to

the mind what the mind obstructs from

our experience what the mind perceives

all into it's in the world what is most

real is what is most imaginative our

words do not arise from themselves or

from their differential play so much as

from lives lived in a given historical

time and culture

what meaning dwells in one's experience

is its truth its

size.i truth saying or truth bearing is

the very nature of language words speak

truth the sense for language is the

basic poetic sense our deep sense of

reality it isn't language that

deteriorate but our sense for for it

with our reading cultivates let's talk

about poetry Greek coin to make yields

the English word poet

hence poem is a generic term for all

kinds of literary work poetry for

imaginative literature and the poet a

figure for all writers as literary

artists the poem or literary work is

work of language and work of imagination

both it is not written in any given

language so much as rod or shape from it

wrote from that is the poet forges his

own path through the wilderness of

language were the words contained for

their own image and

for his own clearing in that wilderness

thus it can be said the point language

is its own the care for words is scare

of life

the poet seeks the light of the living

experience itself either as live as

imagined or recalled or as only imagine

as lived - writin is to get real to

breathe life into language thus finally

the poem isn't its language it is the

living become world

the poem is to live the point the

literary work is already the poet's own

reading or interpretation of his own

experience us live or us imagine

therefore its being or essence is its

meaningfulness or d-1 its soul or spirit

every reader apprehends that

meaningfulness or diva in light of his

own life experience in his own

historical time and cultural space this

is why and how the literary work

humanizes us it's subject taxa or theme

is always a human experience our

experience Ubuntu sisters on Mandela

freely translated I am because we are an

Albert Camus says every great word makes

the human face more admirable and richer

and this is his whole secret da'wah is

essentially in the writing of the poem

or literary work the poet's all move

or feeling stands or attitude outlook or

perspective that mood stands or

viewpoint governs the experience that

the poet depicts or simulate therefore

diva is basically the spring of the

poems

Dynamis or power to persuade and move

the reader intellectually and

emotionally and that power then may be

taken as the ultimate organizing or

structural principle of the whole poem

or literary world in the poet's entire

corpus his poems constantly and

conversed with one another

and therefore the reader or critic is

able to comprehend the poet's central

themes or main concerns and grasp his

unique place in his own country's

literary tradition the poem bares reader

to reader its size I the truth of the

experience it depicts the stupid the

poem is to live every reader who has an

adequate grass of the poet's language

draws imaginatively from his own light

experience including his other readings

in order to apprehend the plains

sigh sigh and be one the points

interpretation therefore may vary from

reader to reader it need only be

plausible because as you read imagine an

inter speck you are also read thus it

may also be said the poem achieves a

life of its own reader the reader over

the course of time we may note

parenthetically the word interpretation

comes from Latin interpret re to

negotiate inter press agent thus one

negotiate with the points tax or world

weave with absolute respect for its

integrity and becomes its agent let's

talk about our country I agree with

formally Skrillex as to formal

excellence in the craft of writing but I

would insist a purely formalist

perspective would evacuate our points of

the Filipino sense of his well deplete

them of the grit and grace and lively

humor in our people's day-to-day living

where the poem as rot or shape has

earned it sighs I and D WA

I think of Philippine literature as an

archipelago of letters because we have

many languages including English and

Spanish both of which have been

assimilated over time into our various

regional languages tagalog cygwin on

Hiligaynon karai

the local people etc they are as much

Filipino as that evolving Tagalog base

Filipino that we hope would eventually

through great writing from it become

truly our national language the fact of

the matter is any language can express

anything at all that the mind seeks to

grasp because writing is a discipline of

what the words are made to do such that

what is wrought can through the

evocative power of imagination on both

the writer and the reader sparked

transcend

the inherent inadequacies of any

language to probe an encompass all of

reality I might add the very fact that

the writer deals in daily life with

English and his own native tongue may

even be a distinct advantage that is if

the writer is sensitive and observant he

might become more familiar with the

space with that space between languages

were precisely him as a struggle for

clearer expression of his insights with

his language of choice let me repeat the

meanings of our words arise mainly from

lives lived through a people's history

and culture therefore the poems in

morsel is the poet's country for once

country is how one imagines her us when

we say anang Byam a country is what a

people's imagination owes its allegiance

to the literature by the writers other

artists of course and scholars certainly

I had their writers our writers is what

creates the works is what creates their

sense of country which ultimately is

forged by their sense for language the

literature is the racial memory and a

country is only as strong as her

people's memory memory which is

imaginations Heartland ethnic walking

says to remember and the same that is my

vocation the writer stands upon his own

ground his own native clearing the way

his fellow countrymen think and feel

about their world

and so live from Sun to Sun in that

clearing he forges shapes language in

the smithy of his mind and heart and

grasp his own authentic self there in

the poetry as rod if one reads close and

imagines well the poet and the scholar

also may well be his own country's best

critic and interpreter and der why he

might refresh or enrich a current vision

of his country's destiny or renew a lost

heritage or even transform it thank you

very much

[Music]

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