Mud Slinging And Lies Will Change Minds—Logic And Reason Not

Emotion Of Reason Concluded


"What good is reason then?" said MV.

"Good question," I replied. "I'm not sure I have the right answer,
but I do have an answer. In the sciences, reason and logic, more or
less, define the process that provides an understanding of law and
change, but in the social fabric, reason and logic come up
short—sometimes way short. In the technical fields, reason and logic
are used to create energy saving strategies. In so far as technology
saves time and labor, it may also mitigate unnecessary suffering. But, in
the social fabric, reason and logic are more allied with the pursuit of power,
status, dominance, and control then with the mitigation of unnecessary suffering. `Feelings of empathy,' or the desire to eliminate suffering, are not allied with the
pursuit of power, status, dominance, and control. Legitimate social reformers and spiritual leaders, however, are almost always motivated by sympathy,
understanding, and compassion."

"So I guess your `God talks' didn't go very far, eh! Did you connect
with anybody?" responded MV.

"Probably not," I replied, "It was basically a hopeless situation."
"Why then did you persist?"

"Hey, when you've seen God you don't walk away," I said. "In some way
you respond. I suppose different people respond differently, but for
me it was with talks, at least for a little while anyway."

"Did you learn anything else, or was it mostly a waste of time?" MV
replied.

"You're not listening very well are you," I said, "God-centeredness is
not a waste of time?"

"But if it's impossible to communicate, why try?" responded MV.
"I didn't say it was impossible, I only said I couldn't do it. I
didn't have the talent," I said.

"But it sounds like it’s impossible," said MV.

"Not really. Emotional centers breathe life into self-determining
acts," I said. "People can re-center themselves. To suggest otherwise
would be wrong. Emotions are everywhere, and significant emotional
events happen all the time. Some make you think, and some do not;
some—few, spark life-changing behavior."