” The key to the richer life is to be as open-minded as possible” (Janaro & Altshuler 2017)
As a person matures the meaning of the richer life changes. For me I’ve become more idealistic as I’ve grown. I would’ve given a more materialistic definition of richer life 5 years ago. This would prove to show the way our brain thinks changes as more information is provided to it. I don’t necessarily agree with the quote 100% as I would say open-mindness is one of the “keys” to the richer life. The quote stood out to me as it proves to show our minds are always adapting.
“Children like the sound and the “taste” of words. Unfortunately the insatiable need to add to and replenish our vocabulary does not always stay with us.” (Janaro & Altshuler 2017)
The child’s mind is a fascinating thing, its unyielding yearn to learn is a thirst that can’t be quenched. We either remember asking “why” or have memories of answering “why”. But this “phase” of asking why doesn’t stay forever we grow and change. I don’t necessarily think the “insatiable need to replenish our vocabulary” goes away as we grow older I just think our way of acquiring the information changes. Our brains adapt and find new avenues of gaining information. Both books or access to the internet means we don’t need to ask why anymore.
“Words are the means by which we think. If we have no words, we cannot have ideas.” (Janaro & Altshuler 2017)
I don’t agree with this in the slightest. Words are used to express what we think. I can think of something and not know the word for it. Words aren’t the essential building blocks that you require to think. Now I don’t think words aren’t used in thinking but, I don’t believe they are needed in order for you to think. Higher level thinking may need words to help progress such thoughts but, that’s not what is explicitly stated.
Citations:
Janaro, R. P., & Altshuler, T. C. (2017). The art of being human: the humanities as a technique for living (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
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Matt's Intro into the Humanities Blog 