I know, I know, the subject heading sounds strange. Let me explain.
There are mainly two types of people: those who like to lump things into categories--things are either black or white, right or wrong, good or bad. If something is not in one category it has to be in another. Period. Many people who think in this manner are scientists or engineers.
Then there are those who think in terms of shades of grey--the splitters. Many artists are splitters. They may consider one aspect of the issue to be more like X, and another part of it to be more like Y. Things aren't necessarily in one category or another.
I've always wondered if it's possible for a lumper to appreciate art, and more specifically, to appreciate literature. From my own observation, all my acquaintances who struggle in literature (or any literature for that matter) are all lumpers. Yet I've occasionally come across scientists who have acquired an understanding of various art forms. How's that possible? Do they simply think in both ways? Or can we say that while people who don't care for art are usually lumpers, not all lumpers struggle with art?
Any thoughts?