A rationalist is not without emotions simply because they are careful to not make assumptions and strive to align themselves with reason even if it is personally difficult. There is always the potential for a non-rationalist to misunderstand literally every aspect of reality, and it is fairly easy for many to falsely think that a deep pursuit of reason displaces all of a person's emotionality. Any rationalist should be the first to understand and celebrate how rationality and emotionality are not rivals locked in a struggle where one excludes delight in or the very presence of the other. In fact, only when affirming both to the fullest extent possible can a person truly be the deepest, most contented version of himself or herself.
Especially for those whose emotions are vibrant, layered, and present at all times, this can be a truth that brings relief. Knowing that perfect rationality and deep emotion are not incompatible can be a source of great release and empowerment. As long as nothing is believed because of emotion except that emotion exists and that one is feeling certain emotions, one can have both at once: alignment with reason without any lapses, assumptions, and inconsistencies and powerful emotions within. One of the things that might deter even some rationalists from expressing both sides of themselves to others, however, is the misunderstandings from a culture that both supports the stupidity of emotionalism and yet still criticizes people for authentic displays of emotion.
No one needs to downplay or ignore their emotions for the sake of appearing intelligent to others--or their own self. A rational person can grasp how even deep emotion and all of the longings, comforts, and motivations therein do not overpower a person to the point that they do not look to reason unless they allow them to. It is possible to not just recognize this, but to also live in complete acceptance how no part of oneself other than a desire to cling to unproven or false ideas must die in order to embrace rationalism. How others will mistakenly assume false things about a person who lives a life of deep rationality and emotionality does not need to be the primary concern.
Fools are never worth pleasing except for the sake of manipulation as it is. In a world full of people who are not rationalists, it is very likely that a person with thriving emotions that do not usurp the place of reason will be misunderstood. There are people who will quickly misperceive or even actively slander a person for their genuine alignment with reason and connection with their emotions, and these people might even think less of someone who understands both as they truly are, despite the fact that it is, if anything, they who are the inferior ones due to their stupidity. To make no assumptions, follow reason where it leads, and still be deeply self-aware on an emotional level as well as an intellectual and broad psychological one is an attainable state of being with or without the approval of others.
Reason and the intellect that grasps it are ironically necessary to even understand emotions as a general concept and one's own experiences of all kinds, including with emotion. It is for this reason that the person without a distorted awareness of the laws of logic is in a position to understand his or her emotions far more than any non-rationalist could ever hope for. Denying any aspect of this truth is a sign that a person is both thoroughly irrational and either emotionally shallow or emotionally confused. As strange as it might seem at first given the kinds of philosophical mistakes individuals and cultures have made when they believe in assumptions, it is only by recognizing the metaphysical and epistemological supremacy of reason that a person can fully avoid the errors of emotionalism and the errors of trivializing emotion.
No comments:
Post a Comment