Cold Reason
Many times I have been called cold. Most people view a strict and rigid belief in the rational and logical to be of a non-emotional nature. One individual literally told me, “it just ain’t got any soul.” I have been called “uncaring”, “uncompassionate”, “boring”, “eccentric” and “heartless”, because I do not abandon my mind during times of social or cultural conflict.
However, I propose the opposite to be true: logic is the basis of the greatest of all feelings — respect for the human condition. Without reason and logic, our actions become incoherent. Rather than doing something because it follows a proper order in reality, because it “makes sense”, we do things on the basis of whim — chaotic actions.
Look to all the problems of the world: Violence, war, war, poverty, drug addiction — every human problem is caused by a rejection of reason. When one party abandons reason to solve a problem, violence and war become their solution — coercion, force, state action. When someone abandons reason on the basis of their actions revolving their desired partners, manipulation and sometimes even rape become the solution. When individuals abandon reason in economics, poverty befalls them, lives are destroyed.
It is said that reason is cold, heartless and “ain’t got any soul.” How foolish. In reason we find the salvation of man’s problems — the answer to economics, the answer to social quagmire, the answer to policy, the answer to questions.
I turn the tables on those who espouse feeling and tradition in spite of cold reason — it is you who have no soul, because it is you who destroy your world by closing your eyes. Choose reason and we will be saved — abandon it completely, and mankind is doomed.
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Sarah said,
January 4th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I agree that without reason, the world would be a chaotic disaster and man would be given over to lust and violence. But to rely solely on rationalism in forming thoughts, making decisions, and interacting with other human beings? I believe that would be a very sad way of life. God gave us emotions and the ability to feel, and to neglect those gifts is unhealthy for our minds and souls.
I’m not saying that you should always depend on your “feelings” for wisdom and direction; rather, I believe that to temper rationalism with emotion achieves a balance that pure reason lacks. There is a difference between genuine emotion founded on truth and morality and raw “instinct”.
I believe that we, as human beings, have a responsibility to use our minds to achieve wisdom and prosperity; but just as well, we should never forget that we have been given souls as well as intellects.
After all, God isn’t the “God of reason”; He’s the God of love.
Shaun Connell said,
January 4th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Sarah,
As I probably should have clarified a bit, I am certainly not against emotion at all. Those who know me well know that I feel deeply about every aspect of my life. Emotion, however, is a response to belief — it is not the foundation of my beliefs.
Love is the foundation of the Christian religion, though I wouldn’t call it an emotion so much as an outlook.
That said, I don’t think we really disagree.
Sarah said,
January 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Ah, thanks for clarifying that. I apologize if my judgement was a little hasty.
For the record, although I just recently discovered your website, I have highly enjoyed browsing through your articles and posts. It’s refreshing to know that at least one other human being on the planet still embraces capitalism and conservatism.
Shaun Connell said,
January 4th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Ah, no problem. The issue was with my lack of clarification. I can certainly see why it would look as though I reject emotions.
Thanks! We still exist.