“Voice” metaphor used by both Adam Kirsch and Charles McGrath in NYT Book Review debate, “Is everyone a critic, or are special qualifications needed?”

If you search “voice” in this blog, you find more than fifteen posts. So I couldn’t help notice that both essays in yesterday’s New York Times “Bookends” debate used the voice metaphor.

Charles McGrath said, “How many of these voices [critics] are worth paying attention to is something else.” Adam Kirsch said, “In fact, appreciating a work of art requires the suspension of exactly that kind of judgment — the voice in your head telling you whether this book or this picture is done ‘the right way,’ which usually just means the familiar way.”

McGrath is speaking of critical voices out in the world, not in anyone’s head, but would it have occurred to him to use the voice to stand for a critic if he had never had a critical voice in his head?

Now, since there are many people who have never experienced their conscience or critical judgment as a voice in their head, the question arises as to why some people do have that experience. One fact to consider is that a rational voice in the head may imply the presence of an alternate personality.

So, is a person’s use of the voice metaphor a sign of multiple personality? Perhaps, but not necessarily, since they might be using “voice” as a buzzword or cliché.