(March 15, 2018 at 1:23 pm)Whateverist Wrote:(March 15, 2018 at 12:08 pm)shadow Wrote: Interesting question. I would posit that reason is a tool for meeting a goal. A very very powerful tool, which is why it appeals to us.
What that goal is is not something I think pure rationality can determine. I don't think there's an answer in the stars for that. So it's not so much that the head is following the heart, but that the heart determines our objectives. The head then gets us there. If one ignores reason, by relying on prayer for example, they are less effective at meeting their goals. So this is why I would not support that irrational behaviour. When it comes to our feelings and desires, though, I don't know why you assume it is possible or preferable to determine these with pure reason.
Sounds like the will question. We're free to will what we like but not free to choose the likes that determine the targeting of what we will.
In the last few years I have been increasingly encountering a similar problem in my personal philosophy and actions, and I find it incredibly frustrating.
Quote:So we can wield reason to justify what we believe but we may not have so much freedom in choosing the beliefs we exercise reason to shore up. I'm not sure if the seeming paradox is in the language we have available to express these ideas and the situation is more mundane than it sounds, or, if the seeming contradiction goes alarmingly deep. But I don't find myself getting alarmed. Must have a properly basic belief that my ordinary perceptions in all this can and will win out.
This is a really good comment. Could elaborate on what you meant with the bolded, though? It's interesting but I don't really understand what you're referring to.
