Glossary
Ability: this term can be understood from the old term, metis. Metis implies flexibility in situations, dexterity, a good eye for detail, a sense of direction and apprehension of fluctuations (see Chapter 14). Ability involves the set of sensory skills directly related to the situational trends implied by reality. Tricking and skewing, as well as avoiding, handling, hitting a ball, throwing, sewing and operating as a strategist by observing weak signals are abilities. Ability certainly involves the kinesthetic field, but we prefer using the term “perceptive” (in Jullian’s sense) to describe what a skillful ability is.
Anticipation: this refers to the ability to observe the signs and indications that initiate a trend in a pattern; to assess (by assessment) this trend; to embrace it and, if necessary, to support it to our advantage – if it is not determined. Anticipation is not forecasting; one is correlative with reality, and the other is speculative of our ideas.
Appreciate: this is apprehended in the context of our work in its Chinese meaning, ji, in other words the ability to perceive minute nuances (wei) in observation, from which the operative tendency can initiate.
Aptitude: in our frame of reference, this is a person’s inclination to operate/ carry out an activity (aptitudo). Aptitude is the category into which skills-abilities fit, as well as the principle of capability: “I feel able to do this work, that is, to use this skill and this ability. Here’s how I ...