Activity Quote by Cecil Day-Lewis
“It is unwise to equate scientific activity with what we call reason, poetic activity with what we call imagination. Without the imaginative leap from facts to generalisation, no theoretic discovery in science is made. The poet, on the other hand, must not imagine but reason--that is to say, he must exercise a great deal of consciously directed thought in the selection and rejection of his data: there is a technical logic, a poetic reasoning in his choice of the words, rhythms and images by which a poem's coherence is achieved.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thoughts on Poetry and Science, 1975
Science and poetry both need imagination and reason, but they apply them differently to create knowledge and art.
In simple terms: Both fields blend imagination and logic, each in its own way.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the complementary roles of imagination and reason.
Themes
science
poetry
imagination
reason
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- research design
- creative writing
- interdisciplinary collaboration
Key Concepts
epistemology
creative process
logic
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scientists benefit from poetic thinking?
- How can poets incorporate scientific rigor?
A Different Perspective
Balancing artistic intuition with empirical rigor can be difficult.
