Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Reason with feelings, and Feel with reasoning...

I read to keep sane.
This is not an excuse as to why I am still so hooked into books when I should be concentrating more on preparing the kids for exams, marking, or even, at a personal level, doing a lot more good deeds during this fasting month.

But with books, I am able to keep focus a lot more; not just to escape into a fantasy world whatsoever; since my diet of books lately fall under 'self-help, inspirational and philosophy'...(which actually reflects a lot about my state of mind currently.)  Anyway, the books that I can't seem to put down now are the writings of AC Grayling.  Nope, I am not using them for GP...but for those of you who are preparing for your A levels, maybe you should get your own copies.  JC teachers love to use his work for GP comprehension.

Well, the thing about him is that while he writes about topics which are wide and deep (hence GP), his style reflects one who is sharp.  He broaches the topics in a straightforward manner, and his arguments clear and valid. Plus he also gives his own personal insights; taking care to simply claim that he 'teaches and learn philosophy, not a philosopher."

One very pertinent question he asked was, "Do emotions interfere with rationality?"
I know that some people will argue with me till the cows come home on this one...especially those who are schooled to take a good look at this matter based on facts or evidence. Even the esteemed Greek thinkers have viewed emotions as something negative; even though the emotions themselves may be positive - take happiness for instance.  Perhaps that is why, for a long time, the idea of keeping a stiff upper lip and being detached or dispassionate seem to be the way of attaining wisdom or sagacity.  Emotions are seen are something that one needs to be kept under control, and that if you manage to master them, you will have a peace of mind.

I echo Grayling's point that you cannot have one without the other. Just as how the feelings affect the physical state of mind and body, it works the other way round too.  The mind and the heart (and soul) are of equal importance.  They need each other, and when they work in synergy, there is where one gains some kind of wisdom. Your IQ, EQ & AQ are reliant on these 'win-win' relationships.

It is ok then to think through carefully...but not to be detached and unfeeling; and it is ok too, to feel , but within the constraints of what the mind thinks as logical and sound.
A life worth living, is very much, when reason and feeling, are tempered by each other.
So do what is right, and what you feel is right too.

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