Project	a philological sense of Our evolving

	idealzing singularity which may become exemplary gary e. davis	September 26, 2024

Most persons aren’t very individual, in a sense of noteable singularity. Though a life deserves respect for its entitlement of opportunity to thrive, etc., ordinary individuality is sociocentrically derivative, a montage of influences and prefer- ences, each of which is commonly influential for, or preferred by, many persons. Commonly, a life isn’t noteably individuated. The life is important to near-and-dear others, and presumably important to itself (presumably: too many lives are unhealthy by choice or trapped in bad habits). But lives commonly aren’t noteably singular. Commonly, a person is “mature” and “independent,” but not highly individuated. The life isn’t easily regarded as exemplary. Good teachers want to facilitate individuation, as well as development of compet- ence, values, and knowledge. But social “headwinds” are often insurmountable (or a person was born with ordinary talent). Nevertheless, well-individuated persons are easy to find. There’s much real indiv- iduality to appreciate. Seeking influence by well-individuated persons is feasible, valuable, fruitful, and admirable. And commonly not preferred. Ability to recog- nize and appreciate good authority is important, but to too few. Psychological researchers might prefer exemplary persons for understanding talent (potential) in principle, aspiration, sensibility, flourishing, and so on. Minds scoring toward the right end of a bell curve are preferrable. “Extraordinary minds” exist. We might best understand ourselves as persons with potential by orienting understanding relative to leading minds; and, for inquiry, orienting understanding of personness relative to leading minds. But leading minds never regard themselves as leading minds apart from finding that others regard them so (my guess), thus graciously going along with the admir- ation. Their singularity gained leading influence only because their work found its own way—a high individuation—for the sake of that individuational achieve- ment. Originality doesn’t happen by seeking to be seen as original. But original work occurs, and it deserves a leading place in the relevant orien- tation of lives. Higher education idealizes this kind of value. A keynote of higher education is that high individuation is widely feasible and desirable. But singularity which may result from high individuation is no ensurance of exemplarity, of course. Exemplarity belongs to time, persistence, and valuation by others. An authentically (deeply, highly) inquiring life can’t find its own way by seeking exemplarity. Seeking exemplarity is admirable, of course. Social life is commonly lacking enough model lives for general orientation (and lacking aspiration). And leader- ship doesn’t happen by accident; it’s hard work. Yet, exemplary influence comes after the fact of making something which is newly interesting. (Fabricating market “influencers” is as old as aiming to become a “best seller.”)

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Be fair. © 2024, gary e. davis