Concrete Quote by Anonymous
![“This is our dilemma--either to taste and not to know or to know and not to taste--or, more strictly, to lack one kind of knowledge because we are in an experience or to lack another kind because we are outside it. [. . .] Of this tragic dilemma myth is the partial solution. In the enjoyment of a…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f9b/anonymous-1_concrete_this-is-our-dilemma-either-to-taste-and_2361792.jpg)
“This is our dilemma--either to taste and not to know or to know and not to taste--or, more strictly, to lack one kind of knowledge because we are in an experience or to lack another kind because we are outside it. [. . .] Of this tragic dilemma myth is the partial solution. In the enjoyment of a great myth we come nearest to experiencing as a concrete what can otherwise be understood only as an abstraction.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Philosophical Reflections, 1970s
Human experience is split between direct sensory knowledge and abstract understanding; myths bridge the gap by making abstractions tangible.
In simple terms: We learn through both feeling and thinking; myths help connect them.
Key Takeaway
Seek myths or stories that make abstract ideas concrete.
Themes
knowledge
experience
myth
abstraction
learning
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- creative writing
- therapy
- cultural studies
Key Concepts
epistemology
sensory perception
narrative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What myth has helped you grasp an abstract concept?
- How do you balance feeling and thinking?
A Different Perspective
Myths may oversimplify complex truths.
![“[Buddhism and Christianity] are in one sense parallel and equal; as a mound and a hollow, as a valley and a hill. There is a sense in which that sublime despair is the only alternative to that divine audacity. It is even true that the truly spiritual and intellectual man sees it as sort of…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a9b/anonymous-1_abyss_buddhism-and-christianity-are-in-one-sen_2272362.jpg)
