Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Inspiration is what exactly?

What the hell is inspiration? Well the definition, according to 1913 Webster, is:

1. The act of inspiring or breathing in; breath; specif. (Physiol.), the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm; -- the opposite of expiration. [1913 Webster]
2. The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc. [1913 Webster]
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. (Theol.) A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated. [1913 Webster]

Now let's not talk about the Theological inspiration or the act of breathing in. Let's talk about number 2 specifically. Is it really that easy? Just anything that stimulates your emotions or intellect and possibly causes you to act on it?
So if I listen to music and feel the need to drum along to the music, that was something that inspired me to drum? Or if I see someone with candy and then get some candy, I was inspired to get candy?
Is it just me or is that an unsatisfactory definition?

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