The issue of “flight of thought” has occupied great minds since ancient times. However, to this day, neither the wisest of philosophers nor the smartest of scientists can say that they "understand thinking." The level of knowledge of consciousness can be compared with the degree of knowledge about the oceans. We understand the surface roughly, but almost nothing is known about the depth. You can talk about it endlessly, but here we will touch on only two methods of thinking:
Rational thinking
Many people often act on emotions without considering either the consequences or their own decisions. This is due to too "hot blood" or banal unwillingness. If this is definitely not about you, then we can say that you are a rational person. This does not mean methodology in actions or other special factors. Rational thinking is just the ability to think about your decisions and act according to logic.
Rational thinking structure
Three main forms of rational thinking can be distinguished:
- concept;
- judgment;
- inference.
We can represent the concept as the name of an object or action. We simply point out the subject of discussion, presenting it to the audience. For example, we say “bird”, “flight”. The following is a judgment. We bind objects together. In other words, we explain the meaning of the above concepts. It turns out the statement: "The bird flies."
As a result, we will conclude. Here judgments are combined, and on the basis of their analysis new conclusions are built. We reasoned that the bird is flying, and we know that it has wings. We also know that a person has no wings. So, our conclusion is the statement that the bird flies thanks to the wings.
On these forms is the basis of rational thinking. For a clearer picture, you need to look at it a little differently.
Rational thinking in stoicism
In everyday situations, rational thinking often means the need to "turn on the head." Abstain from emotions and analyze the situation calmly. However, such thinking takes some time. Without a strong habit, it is difficult to immediately begin reasoning. Especially in moments of emotional shock. Emotions overflow, blood hits the temples and the brain refuses to work rationally.
This problem has been recognized since ancient times. Recall, for example, stoicism. When a person is called a "stoic", then in his imagination he appears truly unperturbed and solid, like a rock. He keeps himself apart from petty everyday problems, does not pay attention to them and does not worry. This is true, but only in part. Stoicism covers many aspects of life, but here we will talk only about one of the central parts - maintaining the mind in difficult situations.
Example of stoic thinking
Marcus Aurelius is the great Roman emperor. The last of the "five good emperors." He spent most of his rule on the borders of the empire, protecting it from enemies. He went through two major wars. Despite many problems, he worthily led the empire and did not lose his mind in the most difficult situations. In this he was helped by stoicism. Marcus Aurelius perfectly illustrated the topic of rationalism in his Thoughts:
From Apollonius independence and calm before the game of chance; so as not to look at anything except the mind for a moment and always be the same - with acute pain or having lost a child, or in a long illness.
How can one be calm in such terrible situations? Let's take a look at the quote in more detail. An important point is “calm before the game of chance”. He actually answers our question. Everything that happens around us is a chain of events, fate, if you will. We, as humans, cannot control these events, so why worry about them? We can only control ourselves and our attitude to these events. If something bad can happen anyway or has already happened, is it not more reasonable to maintain rational thinking and not succumb to emotions?
If we are talking about stopping worrying (and therefore acting unreasonably) in a routine life, then preparation is necessary. That is, you need to be prepared for any vicissitudes of fate. Then there will be no “surprise”, which means that emotions will remain under control.
In the morning, tell yourself in advance: I will meet with the vain, with the ungrateful, the impudent, with the sly, with the greedy, non-social. All this happened to them out of ignorance of good and evil.
Of the many philosophical directions, it is Stoicism that is most applicable in everyday life. With it, we can learn to control the mind and make informed decisions in difficult situations. But this is the basis of rational thinking.
Irrational thinking
“That guy has a money scoop.” What kind of “chuyka” is that? Well, he understands at the level of intuition how to make money. After reading the previous chapter, we think rationally, and such an explanation does not suit us. Let's figure it out for ourselves.
Intuition itself can be understood as an unconscious management of facts. This is the main difference from rationalism. Irrational thinking covers the surface, barely looking deeper. Reason does not enter into ornate reasoning. This is done unconsciously, and therefore it often seems to a person that he acts "on a hunch." Such thinking is often called feeling. It is emotions, not logic, that become the driving force of thought.
We often think that a person commits some action without reason or logic. Such a person is branded "irrational." However, nothing happens simply, and there are reasons for everything. It's just that in an “irrational person” thinking acts superficially, in express mode. Because of this, reasoning and logic may be distorted. But since this is done unconsciously, it is not always possible to understand these tricks of consciousness.
Disadvantages of rational thinking
Adherence to the principles of rational thinking can play a trick on a person. Here, for example, is the situation. You see a cake that looks quite delicious. But do not try it. Why? And, you tried it before, and the taste seemed disgusting. This is rational thinking. You put forward the concept of "pie." Your judgment on the cake is that it "looks delicious." However, the conclusion tells you another fact: you already ate such a pie, and it was not so good. But if at that ill-fated time the cook was drunk or was he not there at all, but was prepared by an incompetent novice? But you do not know this, and by this, perhaps, you are depriving yourself of a delicious meal.
What is the conclusion from this stupid story? The moral is that rational thinking is limited by the available information. It is no secret that the human brain rejects everything new and unknown, such a conservative he is. It turns out that when a person thinks rationally, the brain uses only the information that is available. He does not want to take into account the fact of the presence of something unknown to us. He’s actually that sly one.
The benefits of rational thinking
But it is not in vain that so much is said about rationality. Of course, in many life situations, the forms of rational thinking are most suitable. You can reason and foresee different outcomes of events, which is of great benefit. Rational thinking - this is what helps to avoid the state of affect, excessive exposure to emotions. And in this state, you can do terrible things. In general, it is difficult to overestimate the benefits of rationalism in life.
However, it is sometimes worthwhile to let the inner fire flare up. Constantly restraining emotions can lead them to push through the door of their prison and spill everywhere. Then imbalance will really come, and few will be glad of it. It, of course, will lead to a rethinking, which is very important, but the method is extremely tough. There are many less painful and no less effective ways. The main thing is to know where it is possible to let a primitive beast out, and where it is better to remain civilized. If this understanding comes, then life will become a little easier and a little more understandable.
Total
Ultimately, we realized that although thinking is different, each has its own pros and cons. Rational thinking is not a panacea for all problems, but life, driven only by emotions, carries a lot of problems. Rationalism is ice, irrationalism is fire. By choosing only the first, you risk becoming “cold” and freezing the “inner self”. If the choice fell only on fire, you will burn yourself and burn your loved ones. A wise decision is to learn to skillfully combine these forms or find balance.