I recently came across a term I wasn’t familiar wtih–sui generis. Upon reflection, I know I’ve come across it before, but maybe only once or twice in all my reading and I had to look it up to learn what it meant. The phrase means ‘unique’ or, more technically, ‘of its own kind.’ It is Latin. It’s used to describe something that doesn’t fit neatly into existing categories; something truly original. Philosophers often use it to describe phenomena that are irreducible — things that can’t be fully explained by reference to anything else, such as consciousness. In music, I suppose Miles Davis' Bitches Brew fits the description. Certainly every psychedelic experience is sui generis, as language tends to fail in its usual ability to accurately describe.

Of course, each of us, and each sober, conscious moment is also sui generis. This is hard to see sometimes because we automatically sort everything we come across. We categorize. Our brain does it to help us survive and it is hardwired into us. However, beneath the categories are unique moments, perceived by unique people. Indeed, we are all mavericks and ultimately uncategorizable. In times like these, when our politics leads us to stereotype and heap people into convenient groups, this ancient concept reminds me to try and see differently. It also encourages us to revel in our peculiarities, as Ursla K. Le Guin said.