"The ideal reasoner would, when he has once been shown a single fact in all its bearing, deduce from it not only all the chain of events which led up to it, but also all the results which would follow from it." - Sherlock Holmes
What is Logic?
Logic is one of reason's most spectacular devices. When given reliable information, logic uses a chain of deductions to understand and expand on the meaning of your assumptions, and anticipate their future implications.
Logic Helps Us:
- Link cause and effect
- Distinguish the possible from the impossible
- Anticipate future probabilities
- Make calculations and decisions that can drastically improve your life.
The Magic Behind this Human “Super Power”
The immense power of our logic stems from its ability to objectively assess, contrast and decide. Broadly speaking, logical thought works according to the process of differentiation - categorizing and comparing symbols, images or ideas to systematically evaluate their differences.
This contrasts with your primitive aspect’s associative processing, which seeks similarities rather than differences (read more on dual processing).
Associative vs Logical Processing
Imagine a bowl of apples and oranges.
Focus on similarities between the two (for example, they are both fruit). This is called associative processing. It is a characteristic of your primitive aspect that focuses on similarities - such as the fruitiness of apples and oranges.
With logical processing (characteristic of reason) you focus on the differences - the distinct colors, shapes, textures, smells and flavors of each type of fruit.
When logical, we approach the world with a linear perspective by identifying a multitude of characteristics, and then we categorize and contrast them based on their distinctions (1 vs. 2 vs. 3). Over time, we learn to “find the right” answer by continually asking "what is different?" – just like children learn to find Waldo in the popular children’s book.
When making life decisions, we need to ask, "what choice is best for me?" This is key! When logical differences are held together in our minds, the richness, paradox and irony of life can be better appreciated.
Becoming an Emotional Detective means focusing your attention and awareness on your emotional life and three inner aspects - and then thinking about yourself more logically.
How to use logic to feel better in the long run?
Logic’s remarkable capacity for differentiation and its ability to evaluate possible trade-offs can help you think effectively about many challenges in your life. By seeking alternative perspectives and weighing all known options fairly, logic can suggest new directions that you might otherwise have overlooked. This part of your mind can help make critical path-altering decisions about your education, partnerships, and life’s work – to name a few! It is free from the sway of your emotions and capable of making hard choices without feeling the pain.
While no one does or should live by logic along, logic can help you:
- Work toward a more desirable future by determining what is possible
- Figure out what steps are needed to get there
- Make choices that are unpopular in the short-run, but that work well for you overall.
- Routinely double-check your other instincts
- Discover when to override your own instincts
- Feel inspired to make sacrifices necessary to improve your life.
- Offer rewards for perseverance while resisting troublesome emotional impulses.
- Avoid undermining your other instincts when they are pushing for your best interests
It's always wise to consult this superpower before making major decisions!
Your post was very informative thank you for that
Posted by: Nikki | 03/06/2013 at 12:11 AM