Definition, rationality, and structure are ways of seeing, but they become prisons when they blank out other ways of seeing.- A.R.Ammons
This blog aims to shed light on “reason”, look at how reason works in the human brain, why to use reason, and when is it okay to be irrational.
What is Rationality?
Rationality or reasoning is what separates human beings from animals. Although even animals have capacities to reason, none do it so well as humans. Reasoning i.e., thinking in a systematic, step-by-step manner and formalizing the process through logic, is one of the qualities that has led to the progress of human society.
Many definitions have emerged for ‘reason.’ Many have called it the ability to ask and answer the question `why`? It is also considered as an ability to think, reflect and then act according to those reflections. As neuroscientific research has progressed, we can define reason as a dynamic process in the mind where thoughts emerge, and the mind seeks to connect them. Some of the processes of reasoning are:
- Transformation — Multiple inputs are combined to produce new outputs. When we take ingredients together and create new recipes, we are reasoning about food
- Arrangement — The brain arranges old information in new ways and combines new information with the old. Suppose research emerges that convincingly proves that coffee causes cancer, and we stop drinking coffee. As a result, we are reasoning and rearranging our old thoughts based on new information
- Direction — Reasoning provides a path to reach an end goal. Humans have, for centuries, used reasoning to look at specific examples and derive general principles. Rather, reason can be directed to produce specific outputs from a single or multiple input states. For example, while writing a story, a writer can read multiple stories, identify general patterns, and use those patterns to generate a new story. However, another way to use reason is to identify what type of story the writer would like to tell and then, create characters and scenarios to achieve that goal
- Planning — While reasoning, a process activates in the left prefrontal cortex of the brain that allows a human to plan for the future. There is another process in the right prefrontal cortex that can imagine risks and threats and allow the human mind to prepare for contingencies accordingly — a combination of the two results in a decision or action
Why Be Rational?
The question itself may seem like a tautology. Why should we use reason? Well, if you are asking for reasons to use reason, it already means that you are using reason. However, instead of arguments for a reason, the author would point to evidence:
- Rational & evidence-based thinking about diseases has led to improvements in medicine resulting in health benefits across the world.
- Digital computers — Purely Rational Machines that operate on logic — have changed global markets, provided millions of employment opportunities, and have made it easier than ever to write, pay bills, collect information and understand the world.
- Reasoning about violence has led to a decline in violence and wars across the world.
- Reasoning about the world is a vital skill demanded by the World Economic Forum for the next millennium. Critical thinking skills are crucial for humans to make sense of the flood of information that has been brought about by the Internet.
Should We Be Rational 100% of the time?
In all these arguments, it seems that reason can do no wrong, and we should always be following the path of rationality. We should only follow things that make logical sense.
However, there is a caveat to reason. Reason sets order and structure, whereas we need a certain amount of randomness and disorder in our lives to make us stronger. An analogy would be the phenomena of hormesis, where extreme stressors shake an organism and make it stronger. For example, going to a gym and exercising. There is no reason to exercise if you are a healthy human. You are going against the tenets of evolution, where a species tries to conserve energy as much as possible. However, as we know from modern scientific research, rigorous exercise stresses the body, releases endorphins to heal the body and make it stronger. It is an aid for stress relief, mood regulation, and longevity. So, yes, it may be irrational or even unreasonable to find some time to exercise, but the long term benefits outweigh the short term costs.
In brief, rationality is essential when handling uncertain and risky situations. But, randomness and irrationality are needed to make life more diverse and resilient. A correct mix of rationality and irrationality, order and chaos, yin and yang might be the spice of life. I use the word ‘might’ because of course, I have no reason to prove it. (yet)
Further Reading:
The Costs of Irrationality — LessWrong
Why I Walk — Nassim Taleb
Neuroscience of Reasoning — David Krawczyk
The Last Word — Thomas Nagel
The Expanding Circle — Peter Singer
The Better Angels of Our Nature — Steven Pinker
