In a life, or a portion of a life illuminated, there's a fullness and a balance that no theory or abstraction can match. Why do people waste so much time on abstraction? The life that is given to us, that we play out, is something that you cannot any more grasp with systems and ideas than you can tame an elephant with tweezers.
In his work "In Sunlight and in Shadow," Mark Helprin contrasts the richness of real-life experiences with the limitations of theoretical concepts. He emphasizes that true fulfillment and balance in life cannot be captured through abstract thinking or rigid systems. Instead, genuine living encapsulates a complexity that transcends mere ideas.
Helprin questions the tendency of individuals to focus on abstractions, suggesting that such pursuits can lead to wasted time. He illustrates...
