Frederick William Robertson: 'The office of poetry is not to make us think accurately, but feel truly.'

The office of poetry is not to make us think accurately, but feel truly.

In his quote, Frederick William Robertson states that the purpose of poetry is not to stimulate accurate thinking, but to evoke genuine emotions. This quotation emphasizes the profound impact that poetry can have on our hearts, bypassing the logical mind to tap into the depths of our souls. Poetry possesses the unique ability to stir our emotions, transport us to different worlds, and connect us to a wide array of human experiences. It allows us to feel truly, offering solace, inspiration, and a deep understanding of the human condition.When we encounter poetry, we are often urged to abandon our analytical tendencies and instead surrender to the raw power of our emotions. Unlike other forms of literature that primarily seek to convey information or provoke intellectual reflection, poetry is unapologetically focused on the realm of emotions. It embraces the ambiguity, the sheer complexity of human emotions, and captures them in vivid, evocative language.By prioritizing the communication of emotions over rational analysis, poetry enables us to connect on a profound level with both the poet and ourselves. It allows us to experience the intensity of joy, sorrow, love, and longing in a way that factual information simply cannot convey. In this sense, poetry acts as a mirror to our own feelings, reflecting our deepest and often unspoken truths back to us.However, an unexpected philosophical concept that arises from Robertson's quote is the suggestion that feeling truly may have a vital role in our pursuit of accurate thinking. Often, we perceive emotions and logical thinking as separate and at times, even contradicting aspects of our human nature. However, this dichotomy may be more fluid than initially thought. Emotions can contribute to our decision-making processes, offering valuable insights and influencing our perceptions of the world.While accurate thinking and logical analysis are undoubtedly important, they can sometimes detach us from our emotional selves and limit our understanding of the human experience. It is through our emotional responses that we are able to empathize, imagine, and appreciate the depths of the human condition. By engaging with poetry, we allow ourselves to explore these emotions, leading to a more holistic understanding of the world and our place within it.By contrasting the emphasis on accurate thinking with the importance of feeling truly, Robertson's quote urges us to embrace the balanced coexistence of both emotions and rationality. It encourages us to recognize the powerful role that emotions play in shaping our perceptions, values, and overall understanding of the world.In conclusion, Frederick William Robertson's quote highlights the unique and essential role of poetry in our lives. It reminds us that poetry serves as a vessel for emotions, allowing us to feel truly and deeply. In a world often consumed by factual information and analytical thinking, poetry offers us an alternative path to knowledge and self-discovery. It prompts us to embrace the coexistence of emotions and accurate thinking, ultimately enriching our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. So, let us continue to immerse ourselves in the beauty of poetry, for it has the power to touch our souls and inspire us in ways no other form of expression can.