I wonder if there is such a thing as an original thought, in an age where we are being clobbered by the metaphorical bludgeon of ai. Not to mention the fact that we all borrow from the same experiences and literary word cloud, which seems to be getting smaller. Even new thoughts carry the dna of pre-established ones but on the upside; there’s no better way to be picked up by today’s algorithm than by hitching a ride.
While it seems like everything that there is to say has already been said, we inevitably recycle old ideas. We can cite many historical examples where old concepts have been rebranded for marketing. An artist by the name of Claude Monet, for example, fell under the influence of early impressionists but became famous for his interpretation by painting under a different lighting condition.
It becomes apparent that there is a bit of Monet in all of us who offer up our own context but it was a philosopher named Albert Camus who brings the discussion full circle. His essay The Myth of Sisyphus states, “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." This alludes to the fact that when we struggle to have an original thought; we draw upon that originality.
The allure of striving for ingenuity even when it seems far-reaching is irreverent making the ultimate absurdity- the ability to find a sense of satisfaction in chasing our goals; regardless of the outcome. Nevertheless, we enjoy being on the wheel of independent thinking; as Camus reminds us. It becomes apparent that inquiry and analysis are a labor of love; patient work allows us to bear fruit and reap the benefits.
What I propose is that fulfillment shouldn’t result from individual reasoning but by sharing our ruminations, which can further ontological clarity by deconstructing our impressions of the world. Sharing allows us to understand that our perception is just one of many in the world; prompting us to demonstrate our philosophical agility. In doing so, we learn to disagree intelligently and with civility; upholding the tenets of our democracy.
This argument on sharing is on par with other philosophers, such as Immanuel Kant who has argued that an epistemological framework of critical scrutiny into the nature of creativity helps in pioneering new visions. He believed that the boundaries of knowledge should be analyzed. This helps us find new ways of thinking and helps us consider what possibilities exist in the universe, so far as creativity is concerned.
The goal shouldn’t be to have an original thought but to build on concepts, which are already there. We end up bridging the gap between the past and present. The interchange reminds us that even in the world of proposals, there is still room for more insight- no matter how small. It becomes apparent that our viewpoints add to the cultural narratives that try the times, in which we live.