Whenever or whomever we love or are fascinated by, we need to grow or strive to attain a holistic view of the person. It is possible that in the process of gaining a better view of the person from all possible angles, our admiration for him or her may dwindle. However, that is a better risk than basing all our love and admiration on merely one particular view we hold, and are unwilling to put that to test or view other perspectives.
Recently someone narrated this analogy to drive home the point that when studying a historical figure one needs to have a multi-dimensional approach rather than be stuck to one view alone, or worse, deny alternate views. When a surgeon has to perform an operation on his mother, the photographs he has of her are of little or no use; what he needs are the most specialized x-rays. But, in his office or at his desk, he does not place an x-ray but the most memorable 'live' photo of her! The x-ray has its place, so does the photograph. None to be demeaned, but the worth of each to be noted as varying for differing purposes.
Recently someone narrated this analogy to drive home the point that when studying a historical figure one needs to have a multi-dimensional approach rather than be stuck to one view alone, or worse, deny alternate views. When a surgeon has to perform an operation on his mother, the photographs he has of her are of little or no use; what he needs are the most specialized x-rays. But, in his office or at his desk, he does not place an x-ray but the most memorable 'live' photo of her! The x-ray has its place, so does the photograph. None to be demeaned, but the worth of each to be noted as varying for differing purposes.
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