To be unique we appear irrational against the norms of society. But norms shift to abnormal in another place or among another group.
To encourage unique individuals we must enable the ability to pursue irrational ideas. After all, unique ways of thinking from irrational pursuits may be our salvation.
Yet, knowledge and strange ideas, without wisdom can promote destructive tendencies and harmful outcomes. How do we balance against this?
Tag: reason
- Theme: Growth
The benefit of irrationality
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1–2 minutes - Theme: Self
Privileging the subjective
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1–2 minutesSoren Kierkegaard distinguishes between objective truth and subjective truth. We can argue empirical (objective) reality while the felt truth of the (subjective) self must be taken at face value.
To deeply understand faith, Jazz music, or falling in love they must be experienced; they cannot be apprehended only through reading or observing.
This leads to a rich set of challenges for how to share and communicate reality with others.
- Theme: Systems
The Fall
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1–2 minutesDeciduous trees use vital resources to grow leaves, only to discard them in the fall as a blanket of decay. Next year, they do it all over again.
Our economic, rational self rejects this logic of recirculation for a linear logic of grasping, owning and hoarding. This is, clearly, unnatural. - Theme: Self
Body Resonance allows Mind Residence
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1–2 minutesWe always return to the body. Human care and compassion is rooted in physicality.
Interestingly, if we consider embodied cognition then consciousness is in the body as much as, if not more than, the mind.
Extending further: any abstract theory finds its relation (human receptivity) not in diagrammatic chains of logic, but in the role or impact upon the body.To ignore the body, or operate outside of it, means there is scant chance of residence in the mind: body resonance allows mind residence.
- Theme: Growth
Creativity is expensive and brave.
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1–2 minutesGiven a real world situation there are a set of constraints leaving maybe 2 or 3 realistic, rational, and cost effective options open.
Thus, we all end up looking, doing and thinking the same way because of the "rational efficiencies" we are surrounded by.The more creative you try to be the more costly the effort in terms of time, money, and trust extended. Kudos to those who undertake the challenge.
- Theme: Culture
Ethics of Ambiguity
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1–2 minutesIt is tempting to become all object or all subject: the object lets the world shape them, while the overly subjective treats all others as objects.
Yet, the path according to Simone de Beauvoir, is to embrace an Ethics of Ambiguity: realizing that all binaries hold their opposite within them, and values come from our difficult choices.