A creative element is surely present in all great systems, and

In the realm of philosophy and human thought, few truths are as profound as the creative spirit that courses through the very fabric of human knowledge. Morris Raphael Cohen, in his insight, “A creative element is surely present in all great systems, and it does not seem possible that all sympathy or fundamental attitudes of will can be entirely eliminated from any human philosophy,” reveals a profound understanding of the human condition. Cohen speaks to the inevitability of human influence in the systems of thought we build. Even the most rational or objective philosophies cannot escape the touch of human emotion, desire, and will. The truth is, no philosophy, no matter how logical or structured, is free from the creative impulses that shape it—just as no hero in the ancient stories can be reduced to a mere figure of logic without passion or purpose.

In the ancient world, this truth was reflected in the teachings of Plato, who recognized that knowledge and truth are not simply abstract ideals, but are born from the interaction of the human soul with the divine, the emotional, and the intellectual. In his dialogues, Plato constantly sought the ideal form, but he knew that the human soul could never approach the ideal without sympathy for the real world—the world of feeling, will, and desire. The philosophers of ancient Greece understood that reason was often intertwined with emotion. Socrates, too, in his pursuit of wisdom, acknowledged that true knowledge could not be separated from the heart’s involvement in the pursuit of virtue. What Cohen suggests echoes this ancient recognition—that even the most structured and rational systems of thought are shaped by the human element.

The great Roman philosophers, such as Seneca and Epictetus, also wrestled with the tension between reason and emotion in their works. Seneca, the Stoic, argued for the mastery over passion to reach a state of peace, yet even he could not ignore the human nature that imbued his writings. His stoic philosophy was grounded in self-control, but his deep understanding of human emotions revealed the essential link between will and rational action. Similarly, Epictetus’ teachings emphasized the importance of detachment from external outcomes, but he also acknowledged that human will plays a critical role in determining one’s reactions to life’s challenges. The creative, human spirit, then, was inextricably bound to their philosophies, just as it is in all systems of thought.

Cohen’s insight also resonates with the ancient wisdom of the Indian philosophy as found in Hinduism and Buddhism. In the Bhagavad Gita, the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna underscores the importance of will in the pursuit of dharma, the right path in life. Arjuna, confused and overwhelmed by his own emotions, seeks guidance, and Krishna teaches him that even in the most divine and rational acts, the human heart—with its desires, attachments, and sympathies—cannot be disregarded. The creative element in these teachings is the understanding that will, emotion, and action are inseparable. Every spiritual or philosophical system cannot be devoid of human nature, for it is the soul that shapes what the mind perceives and understands.

Cohen’s reflection on the creative element in philosophy reminds us that humanity cannot be extracted from the systems of thought we build. Even science, often regarded as the epitome of objective thought, contains a human element. The theories and discoveries of great minds like Newton and Einstein were shaped not only by reason but by vision and imagination—the creative impulse to reach beyond the known. Newton’s laws of motion were not simply discovered in a vacuum of logic; they were rooted in a deep curiosity and the creative mind seeking to understand the workings of the universe. Similarly, Einstein’s theory of relativity did not come from a mere mathematical equation, but from a profound shift in how we perceive time and space—a creative vision that revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

The lesson here, then, is a reminder that wisdom—in philosophy, science, or any field—is never purely objective or free from the human touch. Every system of thought, no matter how rational or logical, is influenced by human nature, including the emotions, sympathies, and creativity that shape it. The most profound systems of knowledge are those that acknowledge the complex interplay between reason and feeling, recognizing that wisdom comes not from detaching the mind from the heart, but from integrating both.

In our own lives, we must seek to honor this balance. Whether in our work, relationships, or intellectual pursuits, we must embrace the creative force within us, recognizing that our passions, values, and desires shape the ideas we form and the lives we lead. Just as Plato, Seneca, and Einstein integrated the human element into their life’s work, so too must we ensure that our philosophies, whether personal or professional, reflect the full depth of our humanity—a humanity that blends the rational with the emotional, the logical with the creative. In this way, we come closer to creating a life and a world that is both wise and whole, shaped not just by intellect, but by the heart’s greatest desires.