Logic is subjective

We're all just justifying our emotions 🙃

The long-standing battle of logic vs. emotions plays out on a daily basis, whether that be in your conversations with other people or simply in your own mind. It’s a common dynamic that comes up in relationship dynamics; the masculine using and seeking arguments of logic, while the feminine is using and seeking emotional connection. 

Logic is seen as being consistent, systematic, and objective. Basically everyone values it highly. Logic is seen as the answer in situations where we want to eliminate subjectivity or cognitive biases, because it uses evidence and ‘reason’ rather than personal anecdotes or ‘feelings’ to justify and ‘prove’ a point.¹

Emotions, on the other hand, are viewed as being subjective. Some people believe emotions are incredibly important and valid in all scenarios (yours truly!) whereas others think we should not consider them when making decisions—whether that be all decisions, or just certain types of decisions such as business, financial, etc. 

When logic is sought out in a conversation or decision it is often for the reason of removing emotions from the conversation/decision. 

I could write a very long post defending the importance of emotions and why I value them so highly, but that’s not what I’m writing about today. Today, I am writing about why I don’t value logic in the ways that it is typically valued.

I know, I know, what am I saying? I’m a PhD! I spent years learning how to work with logic and prove points via data gathering and analysis. I have worked on many research studies and I genuinely love contributing to science in this way. (I’m being reminded of a post I wrote about science vs. spirituality). It’s not that I don’t believe in data points or evidence, it’s just that in many cases, I don’t think it necessarily matters.

Although the formal definition of logic includes a systematic analysis of arguments to make sure that conclusions are valid and reliable… in everyday life, people use logic as simply reasoning. It’s about how and why we make decisions, by focusing on objective facts and information rather than subjective opinions or emotions. People like to believe that logic creates universal truth, but I disagree—at least in our daily use of it. 

I believe that we can find “logic” to back up almost anything we want. If you’re trying to decide whether you should buy a house or keep renting, you could make a logical case for either choice. We see this issue in politics all the time. Both sides (and every stance in between) have their own logical case for why healthcare should or shouldn’t be universal, or why we should or shouldn’t tax in a certain way, and everything else we vote on and fight about as a country. 

People say, “that’s not logical!” when something doesn’t make sense based on their current knowledge and belief system. And others totally disagree, thinking that whatever it is, is entirely logical beyond question. It’s all highly subjective.

People use logic to justify what is ultimately an emotional-based belief or value-based decision. Ask anyone in marketing and they will tell you that tapping into a person’s emotions is what makes a sale, rather than proving something logically. We might be thinking creatures but we are also feeling creatures and the latter is the root of most of what we do. Decisions are usually made based on emotion, not rational analysis — even if that is not consciously recognized by the person making the decision.

I think this is totally okay! In my opinion, logic, even in its purest form, doesn’t necessarily matter if the conclusion goes against what you feel or value. Perhaps it is an unpopular opinion but I personally don’t believe we should be making our life choices based on what “makes sense.” I believe we should make our choices based on what matters to us! Our values, our priorities, what we care about most in life – these should be our determining factors.

Like, sure, it doesn’t make logical sense to go live in Kauai for a month (where cost of living is very expensive) when your home is sitting vacant and you’re paying rent in both places. But we did it and I loved it and I feel great about that decision because I gained so much value from the experience. It also wasn’t a logical choice when I moved to Santa Monica, CA with just a part-time job (and being a part-time student) and used up my savings to cover the gaps in cost of living, but the friends and experiences that I had in that season of life were so valuable to me that it still feels like one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

Additionally, making a choice based on emotions does NOT necessarily mean that it is impulsive. The term ‘emotional’ can sometimes be conflated with meaning ‘reactive,’ and therefore not intentional or having thought it through to come to a grounded decision. But this doesn’t have to be the case. You can feel and observe emotions from a grounded place (although this does take skill to do) and use them as information about what you care about—which as I said before, is very important to contemplate and consider when making a decision.

So while I value rational analysis and logical thinking, I don’t believe that it is as pure as common narratives like to see it. I think that most logic is ultimately influenced by subjectivity (emotions, personal values, etc)—AND, I think that’s totally okay. Obviously in the case of academic research and scientific theory, we do our best to remove personal biases (although the best scientists would tell you that you can never fully remove them, but rather simply be self-aware to acknowledge them and how they might influence your analysis!!). But in the context of our individual lives, I think it’s okay to have our subjectivity affecting our logic. I just want to make sure we all know it’s happening!

❤️

Does this resonate with you? How do you value logic vs. emotion and subjective personal values in your life and decision-making processes? If you have thoughts, I’d love to hear them in a comment below.

P.S. I want to be your coach and mentor!! The inner work is my specialty, and I’m here to help you uncover your authentic truth and live out your subjective dream life. If you are struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, overeating or binge eating, food restriction, lack of consistency to make the lifestyle habit changes you desire to make in your life, relationship issues, low-self worth or low self-confidence… please apply to work with me. Give yourself the opportunity to rewrite the story of who you think you are. Let me help!! I gotchu!!! 😘😘 xo