Rationality vs. Emotions

We live in a fast moving world, a competitive world. A by-product of this lifestyle is the notion that all our decisions need to be governed by rationality, to which goal, the emotions present themselves as hindrance. So, how should we act? How should we decide what to do? Rationally? What is being rational, one may ask!

Is being detached, goal oriented the only aim of rationality?

Emotions are the essential element of us, the humans. The ability to feel and express joy, sorrow, compassion is what distinguishes us from the other beings. Not just feeling, but expressing too.

Rationality might suggest that we work long hours and make more money, doing mundane jobs. But to what end? Emotions connect us with people, enabling us to reap the fruit of work we do. Rationality may also limit us from taking risks and command that we play it safe. But what about the things that excite us? The career or the big idea, however odd or unconventional, that we really want to pursue. The insane adventure trip that we want to embark upon so badly. The vacation with family that we have been planning since ages, but keep putting off due to so many rational reasons. What’s stopping us? Rationality?

A popular notion suggests that emotions are wasteful, drain on energy and ultimately make us weak. Rationality is devoid of such distractions and leads to higher efficiency. But humans are not machines, designed to simply perform a task based on programming or algorithms. They are inherently emotional beings, who feel and thus, should freely express their feelings. This is essential to their existence and their sound mental health. Then why, for uncountable reasons, humans try to be more mechanical, more rational?

While it can be seen that in the short run, rationality can give better results, but can these results be sustained over a longer period of time? Can being emotionally dissatisfied, forever, be a desirable state? How long can we rationalize giving up the joys of living like a human being? A human being who gets happy, sad, excited, scared, passionate and who displays compassion for his fellow beings. Moreover, a huge amount of time is spent in convincing ourselves that we are fine. Won’t it be better if we actually felt fine? It seems like a no-brainer: emotions are essential.

So, what stops us? For one, it is the higher premium that is being on external gratification rather than internal satisfaction. As long as it can be externally, materialistically displayed that we are doing fine, no one bothers to ask if we are feeling fine. Rationality can certainly help us get there. Take the wise route to ape success and be a part of the ‘haves’. We can always comeback and weep in the confines of our bathroom, but it must not be common knowledge. Then there comes the good old society. There is a constant pressure to perform certain tasks and attain certain trophies to qualify being a reputed member of the society. The sole purpose is to prove that you are not a nut-case, but a rational, thinking part of the society. Outliers are hard to categorise and hence a threat to society. Also, being a misfit is difficult, stressful and requires a lot of self-confidence. It is very frequently accompanied by ridicule from peers for not being like them. For most, the cloak of rationality hides their inner insecurities. It is more comfortable to feel what others are feeling instead of voicing their own emotions and risk being an outcast.

While there is no denying that rationality, in measured doses, can indeed help; let it be tempered with emotions for a more fulfilling, wholesome life. Let us not keep rationality and emotions at the two ends of the spectrum. Blur the lines. Let them make space for each other. By doing so, not only will we have a more productive, meaningful existence, we will also live up to the distinction of being a ‘Human’ being. Lay all your inhibitions to rest, feel and express.