Saturday, August 05, 2006

logic v rationale

logĀ·ic
n.
  1. The study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content and of method and validity in deductive reasoning.
    1. A system of reasoning: Aristotle's logic.
    2. A mode of reasoning: By that logic, we should sell the company tomorrow.
    3. The formal, guiding principles of a discipline, school, or science.
  2. Valid reasoning: Your paper lacks the logic to prove your thesis.
  3. The relationship between elements and between an element and the whole in a set of objects, individuals, principles, or events: There's a certain logic to the motion of rush-hour traffic.

i've decided its absolutely irrational to say someone is illogical. how can any one person be the decisive factor is saying what is and isn't the proper deducement of a conclusion? perhaps in physical and mathematical sciences, a more absolute path to a more absolute answer is possible. but when it comes to a person's thoughts and emotions, no label of "logical or illogical" can be used. i can accept irrational, because the word irrational denotes more of a bias/opinion. but illogical... there is no way in psychological terms to objectively deem a thought process logical or not. example...we'll say person A is over-analytical and paranoid. person B is a more straight to the point sort of person. person B may think person A is completely illogical in their train of thought, and may laugh at their... ridiculosity, if you will... but if you put yourself in person A's shoes, and go through each step, the conclusion may seem perfectly reasonable. in the opposite situation, person A may consider person B's deducements to be lacking and overlooking very important factors in the train-of-thought-equation.
all in all... i've decided to completely disregard the common misuse of the term illogical, unless applied to a situation completely ruled by physical or biological sciences.

i was listening to "why can't a woman be more like a man" from "my fair lady" and it brought on this spew of thoughts...

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