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The tendency of our perceptions is to emphasise…

“The tendency of our perceptions is to emphasise increasingly the objective elements in an impression, unless we have some special reason, as artists have, for doing the opposite.” quote by Bertrand Russell
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“The tendency of our perceptions is to emphasise increasingly the objective elements in an impression, unless we have some special reason, as artists have, for doing the opposite.”

Bertrand Russell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human perception naturally prioritizes factual details unless a conscious, artistic intent drives focus toward subjective, emotional aspects.

In simple terms: We see facts first; artists choose to see feelings.

Key Takeaway

Perception defaults to objectivity; art reverses it.

Themes

perception objectivity artistic intent subjectivity

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • visual arts critique
  • journalistic reporting
  • scientific observation

Key Concepts

cognitive bias aesthetic philosophy

Practical Applications

  • deliberately shift focus to emotions in storytelling
  • use artistic framing to highlight hidden narratives

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does emphasizing emotion improve understanding?
  • Can objectivity ever be truly neutral?
A Different Perspective

Not all non‑artistic contexts benefit from emphasizing subjectivity; clarity may suffer.

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