Reply #9: Where is the poetry?

[canaar]

Is a scientific truth somehow more valid than a poetic truth? What happens to the understanding that derives from emotional response? Is the imagery that some of the patients invested in these poles as a way of organizing, recognizing, validating their personal demons (regardless of the observable, predictable and repeatable, chemical, environmental, genetic origins of their illnesses and/or trauma) invalid? Likely not since the poles and/or their creation was deemed therapeutic. If destroying or moving these poles without appropriate ceremony to match the ceremonial investment of their creation destroys the historical continuity of their significance for the current group of patients, does that have an adverse impact on their confidence in the therapeutic skill of the counselors and/or physicians? If so, doesn't this metaphorically release the demons to plague the current group of patients?

I believe that we should recognize, celebrate and employ science for the tool that it is as we grope our collective way through our journey in the same way that we should recognize, celebrate and employ our ancient species ability to understand some of the world around us through metaphor and myth. My experiences have convinced me that it is possible to embrace many avenues to the truth without being compelled to reject one over the other.