„Think less and live more.“ — Johann Georg Hamann
Hamann, a friend of Kant, was an advocate of the Socratic principle of non-knowledge. During his time, he was a critic of the system that believed in pure reason and opposed the consolidation of rationality. In his works, he emphasizes the importance of feelings, faith, and intuition. He also believed that language is alive and enables us to discover deeper truths. Furthermore, he was a proponent of faith as a means to understand the world. His works influenced romantic thinkers, and Goethe referred to him as the brightest mind of his time. Like Hamann, these thinkers placed the individual and subjective experiences at the forefront rather than pure intellect. To illustrate the complexity of nature and humanity, Hamann often employed paradoxes and contradictions.
In this context, the aforementioned quote becomes particularly relevant. It challenges the prevailing trend of viewing the world solely through a rational lens. Thinkers and scientists were highly regarded, while emotions and feelings were often deemed unimportant, as were the individual and his subjective experiences.
Today’s research on emotions highlights the significance of consciously experiencing feelings to foster intrinsic motivation and drive change. Humans are more than just minds and thoughts; emotions are integral to our existence. Every thought, word, and situation evokes emotions. Only when we feel alive can we effect change and move forward. We should take a cue from Hamann and think less, but feel more, embracing life as it is enriched by emotions rather than mere facts.
In light of this perspective, how can we foster a work environment that values emotional intelligence alongside rational thinking?
