RoR: Forum

Post 60

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 6:13am

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Jeffrey:

When I was talking about "reason" I was thinking about logical , rational thought.

It would (I expect) be impossible to go through life with out the capacity to use reason.

If we put down the tool of reason perminantly, I suspect that we would all die very quickly... or slowly. Fortunatley it is very hard to put reason down. It keeps jumping into the mind when least expected, often when least wanted.

That said; A person who goes around with reason at the forefront of their mind at ALL times is like someone who goes around with their sword drawn all the time. Rationalising, analysing, picking holes in peoples ideas, constantly thinking... what an exausting way to live!

I think having a clear mind which is capable of springing into action instantly when the need arises is a lot more healthy, and a lot more pleasant. Then you are like a samurai with a sword sheathed but able to draw it instantly if an enemy appears.

Post 61

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 7:00pm

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I can agree that it is and can be exhausting if you are not enjoying life. But, the interesting thing that I am finding by looking at how Objectivism effects my life is that it is not so exhausting when you are happy and you have the will to discover what is around each corner of your life. I mean what if Frank Lloyd wright just was exhausted when building falling water. The whole structure would have collapsed. I think that since he had a great passion towards everything he did he was able to remove exhaustion and stay focused. He use to tell his clients to go out and pick a plot that most architects would never touch because this is where the true character of your structure will come through. He explored nature, materials, modern machinery. All in exhilaration not in exhaustion. Trust me one of the negative things that I have found in my exploration of objectivism is I sometimes want to just get to the end result, the glory in whatever I am producing and not enjoying the path. But again with reason and consciousness in the forefront I am able to recognize this tendency and enjoy every moment during the path to whatever my goals may be. It is like wanting to see your child grow up to be a great man and forgetting to look at the beautiful person he is right now and I don't think anyone should miss on that. All that I am getting at it that I know it seems like a lot of people lose site of that on solo but I think that that is in the perception of the person reading the postings. Most are probably enjoying life and giving life more value than it may appear.

Anyway, I spoke my peace. Have a good day!
Sincerely,
JML

Post 62

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 5:42am

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Martin,

I agree that the idea of applying reason at the forefront at all times can seem a bit vulcanesque. But that may be because the idea of reason as rigor is not realistic. In fact, it is more elegant, more *natural*. The act of typing this, of deciding which words to use and when, results from reason. My sword is not drawn, and I am not breaking the kind of sweat that would occur if I were working on my dissertation. Same with daily life including moral choices. Rational, logical thought is possible as a matter of course. It can be cultivated by increased mindfulness, awareness and consciousness. It need not be calculus.

John

Post 63

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 9:19pm

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Minfulness, awareness, consciousness.

If THIS is what you mean by reason - then by all means keep those always present.

Perhaps I have been using "reason" in a lot narrower sense than you?

To be mindful, to pay attention - to be aware of reality. This in one thing. To be constantly analysing it - debating about it - that is another. Often when people analyse reality too much they do not actually see reality at all. They just see their intellectualised concepts.

I just started reading "We are the living"... I can not comment on how the character develops but the lead character (at the start) seems to lack any of the former qualities.

She does not know when she gets hungry. Does not notice it gets dark. Does not know when people come and go or what is going on around her. She has become a rationaol machine with no awareness or mindfulness at all. A character who can not understand why her sister sees beauty in a sunset or a flower.....

This is the sort of thing I was talking about when I talked about "reason" becoming a cage...

Post 64

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 9:19pm

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