What Is Inspiration By David Brooks Summary

In the article, What is Inspiration by David Brooks the concept of inspiration is dissected and evaluated to conform to the understanding that inspiration is merely a greater power that, for a brief second happened to bless us. David Brooks uses pathos, diction, personal anecdotes, quotes, and similes. Through the use of such evidence, Brooks is able to convey an understanding of inspiration with terms that differ from scientific definitions. In order to begin on the right foot, Brooks defines inspiration as something that doesn't “make sense by normal logic”. In turn, we are forced to look away from the scientific principles, and instead look at the concept of inspiration in a new light. The “new light” is brought to life with Brooks’s

Moreover, Brooks begins to develop a sense of purity within the realm of inspiration. Brooks states that inspiration is, “not driven by a desire for money or grades or status. The inspired person is driven intrinsically by the work itself. The work takes hold of a person.” The statement in itself works as pathos by creating the understanding that inspiration is driven by goodwill, and more importantly is driven by an outside source-out of the reach of the individual.
Similarly, Brooks continues to convey the meaning that inspiration is a greater power by merely stating that it is something one cannot control. However, Brooks goes of in a little tangent to create a well needed backpedal. Brooks states, “The Greeks said it was the Muses. Believers might say it is God or the Holy Spirit.” This statement allows Brooks to justify and broaden the statement to allow greater amounts of perspectives to view it as acceptable. Also, it serves the purpose to “tag” his statements along with that of the “Greeks” and “Believers”. Not only does this allow Brooks to conform “his” definition with a group, but it also serves the purpose of creating a safetynet that allows Brooks to pull a statement with some else’s name behind