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Incite Vs Insight – A Plea For Reason

It is perhaps an ironic twist of fate that, in these trying and potentially dangerous times in which we live, we seem to have leaders (and wanna-be-leaders) who practice incite without insight.

Is it just me? Or has anybody else noticed this:

Political leaders, pundits, news reporters, outspoken (and often self-proclaimed) religious authorities, and sometimes, just “any ol’ body” who can grab a spotlight, microphone or a soapbox are frequently trying to incite people to some action or to a belief that might cause a desired action.

I try to be an observer of people and situations. And while I am almost always willing to admit upfront that “I may not have it exactly right”, it sure seems that many of these “inciters” are not even trying to have insight.

Part of the problem may be right there in the dictionary – my dictionary defines insight as “a clear or deep perception of a situation”, but it also defines it as “the clear, and often sudden, understanding of a complex situation”.

Please try to follow my line of reasoning here – I think that this might be important. There is a big difference between “a clear deep perception of a situation” and “the clear, and often sudden, understanding of a complex situation.”

In order to have a clear and deep perception of a situation, it is necessary to understand the situation – to study it, and look at it from many different angles. In order to practice this type of insight, one must have an open mind and be willing to examine the facts – to come to conclusions by logical deduction.

The “clear, and often sudden, understanding of a complex situation” or what might be called “a flash of insight” could very well be based upon the practicing of insight as I described it above, BUT it could also be based upon many other factors, some of which “just might not be right”.

Do you think that it’s possible that someone can have one of these “flashes of insight” that is based – not on facts and logical deductions, but on gut feelings and emotions? It’s not only possible, but probably quite common. And, here is a worrisome aspect – how many people THINK that they have insight into a situation that is based upon a “flash of insight” that is inspired by gut feelings and emotions rather than TRUE INSIGHT that is a result of open-minded reflection and contemplation?

I hope you are with me so far, because the path of my reasoning is about to get a bit more complex and more difficult to follow (hey, it’s difficult for me to put it into words ..). Please allow me to get to my point by first repeating what I have already stated — but with a more plainspoken and blunt approach.

We have an abundance of leaders and personalities who are inciteful. They act and speak so as to influence your thoughts and actions to be in accord with some agenda. In some cases, they don’t even pretend to have insight (a clear and deep understanding), but they never-the-less try to incite. In other cases, they believe that they have insight (possibly from a “flash of insight”), but in reality have no clear and deep understanding at all.

Some of these inciteful people are quite good at what they do – they encourage listeners to act as they want them to act and to think as they want them to think. There are inciteful people who are convinced, and also convince listeners (who are now followers) that they are insightful. Some of the followers then believe that they also have insight.

- HOLD ON TIGHT, IT GETS WORSE. -

Now, we have inciteful leaders who have no clear understanding of some situation(s), and they have followers who are convinced that the leaders are insightful, and that they themselves understand some particular set of problems so well as to be insightful as well.

Does the phrase, “the blind leading the blind” come to mind? If only it were that benign. I am reminded of a mythical sea serpent who was so large that he encircled the earth and was in the process of eating his own tail, and in so doing, made of himself a noose drawing ever tighter and tighter around the globe.

I have heard it said of “days gone by” that “they were simpler times”. I don’t know if that is true or not – I suspect that there have almost always been complex issues facing us, as individuals and as various collective groups. But I do believe that the world we live in today is plagued by some very perplexing and complicated issues. I also believe that the problems we are facing cannot be solved by inciteful people (and, to be point-blank about it – inciteful people are part of the problem).

- AND NOW, AN OPTIMISTIC PLEA …. FOR REASON -

I honestly believe that what we need – are people, and leaders in particular, who actively seek insight. We need problem solvers who are willing to look at a situation from as many angles as possible, and, with an open mind, seek solutions. It is a task that is much easier “said than done”. We need people who are willing to listen to differing points of view, consider all options, and consider the consequences of those options – all the while, seeking to gain a “clear and deep understanding”.

I don’t know who YOU listen to. I don’t know what politcal affiliation YOU have. I know nothing about YOUR philosophical or religious leanings. BUT, I do ask you to consider this: Are the people, the leaders, the groups that are influential in your life inciteful or insightful?

I beseech you to allow me to be even bolder: Please dwell on the thoughts I have tried to convey here – the idea that we need more insight and less incite. Approach the concept with your own set of reasoning beliefs, and see if it holds water, if it makes sense, if it rings true. AND IF IT DOES … please take appropriate action – seek, require, DEMAND more insightful actions and less inciteful actions.

Thank you for reading all the way through – I truly do appreciate it.