In this quote by Paul Valery, the poet suggests that while cognition, or rational thought, plays a significant role in human behavior and decision-making, it is not the ultimate determinant of our actions. Valery implies that there are other forces or influences that guide us, beyond our cognitive abilities. This quote challenges the idea that reason is the sole driver of human behavior and emphasizes the complexity of the human mind. It suggests that there are deeper, subconscious motivations at play that go beyond simple rationality. Overall, Valery's quote highlights the multifaceted nature of human consciousness and the limitations of our cognitive processes.
In today's fast-paced world, where information is readily available at our fingertips, the quote "Cognition reigns but does not rule" by Paul Valery holds modern relevance. While our ability to think and reason plays a crucial role in decision-making, it is important to remember that cognition is not the sole determinant of our choices. Emotions, biases, and external influences also play a significant role in shaping our decisions. As such, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations of our cognitive abilities and consider the broader context in which decisions are made.
"Cognition reigns but does not rule." - Paul Valery
As we ponder on the statement "Cognition reigns but does not rule" by Paul Valery, it's important to delve into the implications and nuances of this notion. Here are some reflection questions to consider:
“Follow the path of your aroused thought, and you will soon meet this infernal inscription: There is nothing so beautiful as that which does not exist.”
“The stranger’s way of looking at things, the eye of a man who does not recognize, who is beyond this world, the eye as frontier between being & non-being — belongs to the thinker. It is also the eye of a dying man, a man losing recognition.”
“All our language is composed of brief little dreams; and the wonderful thing is that we sometimes make of them strangely accurate and marvelously reasonable thoughts. What should we be without the help of that which does not exist? Very little. And our unoccupied minds would languish if fables, mistaken notions, abstractions, beliefs, and monsters, hypotheses, and the so-called problems of metaphysics did not people with beings and objectless images our natural depths and darkness. Myths are the souls of our actions and our loves. We cannot act without moving towards a phantom. We can love only what we create.”
“To enter into your own mind you need to be armed to the teeth.”
“to live means to lack something at every moment”
“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”