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Camphill Quote by Henning Hansmann

“The objective of learning is not necessarily to remember. It may even be salutary to forget. It is only when we forget the early pains and struggles of forming letters that we acquire the capacity for writing. The adult does not remember all the history s/he learned but s/he may hope to have…” quote by Henning Hansmann
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““The objective of learning is not necessarily to remember. It may even be salutary to forget. It is only when we forget the early pains and struggles of forming letters that we acquire the capacity for writing. The adult does not remember all the history s/he learned but s/he may hope to have acquired a standard of character and conduct, a sense of affairs and a feeling of change and development in culture. Naturally there is nothing against having a well-stocked mind provided it does not prevent the development of other capacities. But it is still more important to allow knowledge to sink into one in such a way that it becomes fruitful for life; this best done when we feel deeply all we learn. For the life of feeling is less conscious, more dream-like, than intellectual activity and leads to the subconscious life of will where the deep creative capacities of humanity have their being. It is from this sphere that knowledge can emerge again as something deeply significant for life. It is not what we remember exactly, but what we transform which is of real value to our lives. In this transformation the process of forgetting, of allowing subjects to sink into the unconscious before "re-membering" them is an important element.””

Henning Hansmann

About This Quote

Source Essay: Thoughts on Learning and Forgetting, 2015

Learning is most valuable when knowledge is internalized, transformed, and felt, not merely memorized; forgetting can enable deeper creative integration.

In simple terms: True learning transforms, not just stores, information.

Key Takeaway

Embrace forgetting to deepen understanding.

Themes

learning memory creativity transformation mindfulness

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • personal development
  • artistic practice
  • psychological growth

Key Concepts

cognitive integration subconscious processing creative synthesis

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you let knowledge sink before recalling it?
  • What role does emotion play in deep learning?
A Different Perspective

Forgetting may cause loss of essential details if not guided.

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