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I’ve been criticized for making generalisations

 

I’ve been criticized for making generalisations

I’ve been criticized for making generalisations

But really

When you look at how Knowledge is constructed

Surely every utterance is a generalization?


After all we use borrowed words

Which are approximations

Emotions for instance

Are usually mixed yet named absolute 

 

I think what they mean is I’m making Macro statements

Not Micro statements

 

But really such a comparison

Makes little sense

When viewed from a particular angle

 

The body is pummeled

Regardless the explanation

 

The other question is whether to trust poetry

(Perhaps poetic philosophy if you’ll forgive me)

Or data?


Image or concept?

 

Data is no more accurate

It too requires a metaphysical Archimedean point

& many subsequent value judgements


All of which are generalisations --

what is called 'Method'


Any judgement of man

Is made by man

& who can say they know themselves Objectively?

 

In short

A shot in the dark question is

Who you gonna trust?

Bureaucracy or the common man?

 

I’ve picked

Many people’s brains

Over the years

 

& engaged in Participant Observation

While falling in love;

 

My knowledge comes from a broad base

More intimate than any survey

 

Not to mention a lot of reading of

Seminal & ovulational ideas.

 

In short

I might be right

I might be wrong

 

Or are these all phantasms

Of language?

 

& people use language

Even the quiet ones

 

Selecting which words to use

Whether in control of their faculties or not

Or both

 

In short,

Because poetry deals in brevity

Why not?

 

 

Published & Copyright Malachi Doyle 2023.

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