Cultivating Cognitive Vision

 

Nakamura Tempu (1876–1968), a Japanese inspirational thinker, once noted that the contemporary focus on knowledge often overlooks the development of cognitive abilities, making it difficult to distinguish accurate information and apply knowledge effectively in life. In this context, cognition refers to the mind’s ability to perceive things clearly, acquire knowledge, make judgments, and act upon information. For example, when faced with the same set of facts—such as surrounding circumstances or people’s words and actions—individuals may interpret them differently. These differences arise from variations in the quality of perception and understanding. In essence, cognitive ability is the skill to think deeply from multiple perspectives and grasp the underlying structure of situations. From this perspective, engaging with people, cultures, and values different from one’s own is valuable, as it hones interpretive skills, broadens understanding, and strengthens the ability to view things from diverse angles.

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