I think that it's human nature to categorize and label things.

In the eternal search for understanding and order, humans have always sought to bring structure to the chaos around them, to categorize and label the world in a way that brings clarity and control. Michael Finkel's words, "I think that it's human nature to categorize and label things. That's generally the way that the medical and psychological professions work. You look at elements of what you have, and you are able to categorize it, and then you can cure it. That's generally what works," reflect a deep truth about the human mind's desire to organize the complexity of life into manageable parts. By doing so, we create systems of understanding that help us solve problems, alleviate suffering, and progress toward greater knowledge.

In the ancient world, the pursuit of order and understanding was a central tenet of wisdom. The Greeks, especially Aristotle, sought to bring clarity to the natural world by observing it closely and classifying its elements. Aristotle’s taxonomy of living beings, for example, laid the groundwork for future studies in biology by organizing animals and plants into distinct categories based on shared characteristics. Just as Aristotle divided knowledge into categories to make sense of nature, Finkel’s observation about the medical and psychological professions shows that categorization is still a fundamental tool in science today. Through this act of labeling, we can make sense of the complexities of human health and mind, bringing healing to those in need.

Consider the example of Hippocrates, the ancient physician who laid the foundations for modern medicine. Hippocrates believed that understanding the human body required not only the study of its parts but also the ability to categorize diseases and their causes. His systematic approach to medical diagnosis and treatment emphasized the importance of understanding the humoral theory, which categorized the body’s balance of fluids as essential to health. By labeling symptoms and categorizing them into specific diseases, Hippocrates was able to create a framework for healing that persisted for centuries. Finkel’s words echo the same principle: that the act of categorization in medicine and psychology is an essential part of discovering solutions and curing ailments.

In the age of exploration, the drive to classify and understand the world’s vast diversity was also reflected in the work of Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who revolutionized biology with his system of binomial nomenclature. By classifying plants and animals into a hierarchical structure, Linnaeus gave humanity the tools to understand and navigate the natural world with greater precision. His system of classification not only brought clarity to biology but also helped future generations of scientists identify, study, and protect species that were previously misunderstood. Linnaeus’s work is an example of how the act of categorization allows us to make sense of the world around us and move forward in our search for knowledge, much as Finkel describes the role of categorizing in medicine and psychology.

Yet, Finkel’s words also acknowledge an important aspect of the human condition: the tendency to categorize can sometimes limit our understanding. The ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism teaches that the truth of existence cannot be fully captured by rigid categories and labels. The Tao, or the way of the universe, is fluid and ever-changing, beyond the ability of human minds to fully categorize or comprehend. Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, warned against trying to control or define the natural flow of life too strictly, as it leads to stagnation. This tension between the need for order and the recognition that life is full of uncertainty is a lesson we must carry with us when engaging in any system of classification.

The lesson here is twofold: while categorization can bring order and understanding, we must also remain aware of its limitations. Human nature compels us to organize the world in ways that make sense, but we must be mindful that true wisdom often lies in embracing the complexity and fluidity of life. Just as Hippocrates and Aristotle shaped the way we approach knowledge today, so must we learn to use categorization as a tool—not a cage—to better understand the world, while remaining open to the mysteries that lie beyond our labels.

In our own lives, we should use the tools of classification and organization to bring clarity, but also practice humility in acknowledging that not everything can be neatly labeled or understood. Finkel’s insight invites us to be both structured in our thinking and flexible in our approach. Whether it is in medicine, psychology, or our daily lives, we must learn to balance the power of categorizing with an understanding that life’s complexity cannot always be contained within defined boundaries. By doing so, we can bring greater wisdom, compassion, and understanding into the world.