Considerations and self-criticism
by Athos A. Altomonte
© copyright 2007 by Esonet.it - Esonet.com

In this expression there is the requirement of talent. Talent, when present, appears in a rough and not precious form at first. For this reason it is recognizable only by people gifted with a particular sensitiveness able to identify it, like dogs with truffles.

To make it grow we need practice and self-criticism. Here we have three categories.

The first one is the irrational majority of people who are happy with the talent they have and overrate it, ending up overvaluing themselves.

The second one is the rational part of those who focus on practice but forget the importance of constructive criticism given by a ‘Master of Art' (also of scientific ars) and then by self-criticism, viz. from oneself on oneself.

The third category is made of the elite of ‘creatives' that nobody can educate any more because they have overcome any school's level.

These people are left on their own, therefore to develop their talent they can only rely on their ability for self-criticism. On condition that the model they refer to is higher than them but not utopist, otherwise they'd end up wearing out their self-esteem.

‘Creatives' are artists of the thought but despite their striking talents, even among them there are two sub-categories.

The first is made of egocentrics; they isolate themselves and build a kingdom of intellectual vanity where the center is love for themselves and the infinite admiration for their works. We could recognize in this type the profane that uses criticism as a weapon.

Extroverted people, on the other hand, tend to confront their similes forming philosophical or artistic coteries. Perhaps the most genuine ones meet in taverns.

Nevertheless they all have the goal of knowing and being known, transmitting and communicating. In this group we might recognize the initiate, willing to know but ready to share it with his peers.

Attitude certifies these two positions.

The attitude of the profane tends to exalt his own talent and to belittle other people's.

The initiatory attitude is to share with joy the knowledge without trading it , because the person understands that knowledge and art are ‘common patrimony'. Furthermore, he is able to appreciate other people's talent and to welcome it as a ‘teaching'.