Unleashing the Power of Wild Imagination: How Fantasy Helps Cultivate Practical Wisdom
Humans have always had stories infused with otherworldly elements. As children, we are enraptured by the tales of flying dragons and magical castles. As we grow older, we may find ourselves turning to themes of science fiction, or immersing ourselves in epic, immersive worlds. While some may dismiss literature that lends itself to imaginative interpretation as a ‘frivolous’ pastime, the truth is that these stories offer more than mere entertainment. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that engaging in fantasy can have a positive influence on our development of practical wisdom.
To be clear, practical wisdom is not something we can simply learn from a textbook or lecture – it is something we must develop through lived experiences and reflection. This form of wisdom relates to the way that we can navigate the complexities of life and engage in ethical decision-making. Essentially, it is learning how to apply moral and philosophical principles to the unique situations we will inevitably face over the course of our lives.
According to research, engaging with fantasy can actually enhance our ability to cultivate practical wisdom. One primary reason for this is the way that such stories encourage us to consider moral and ethical dilemmas in a narrative context. Characters face myriad difficulties, and often grapple with complex issues that challenge our conceptions of right and wrong. In engaging with these stories, we are forced to consider these problems from a variety of angles, and we are encouraged to employ moral reasoning at a deep level.
In addition to helping us develop our capacity for moral reasoning, immersion in fantasy also helps us develop our empathy muscles. Fantasy worlds ask a lot of us – we must be willing to imagine the experiences of people who are entirely unlike us, to develop an understanding of different worldviews and moral systems, and to consider the needs and wants of creatures who are fundamentally different from us. All of this exercises our capacity for empathy, forcing us to examine the world from multiple perspectives and to develop our skills of emotional intelligence.
Finally, there is some evidence to suggest that engaging with fantasy can help us reduce our own feelings of stress and anxiety. These stories offer a kind of escapism that can be incredibly valuable when it comes to reducing the negative emotional impact of daily life. This isn’t to say that we should avoid discomfort entirely – after all, discomfort is often where we may find opportunities for growth and reflection – but rather that engaging in some form of escapism can provide us with the mental breathing room we need to be at our best.
All in all, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that our love of fantasy can actually be something that helps to cultivate skills and traits that are valuable in everyday life. While we’re certainly not suggesting that you should ditch your textbooks entirely in favor of epic novels and films, we do think that it’s worth considering the way that we can use our love of fantastic narratives to better understand the world and our place within it. Whether we’re grappling with complex moral issues or simply taking a break from the daily grind, there’s something wonderful about the way that fantasy allows us to dive deep into our imaginations and explore the bounds of what might be possible.
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