Is there ever a time when logic is not the correct tool to use?

Yes, when you need to empathize with someone. What I mean is to listen, to understand what they are thinking and feeling, and to perhaps comfort them (rather than to solve their problem). Emotions are often irrational and/or illogical.

@MissAnthrope But how would being logical be bad here? If I know the person, and I want to be helpful, than I wouldn’t try to solve their problem. I’d know that, at that moment, trying to solve their problem wold do more harm than good and so I would sit there and listen. (No, I’m not 100% logical, but assuming I was…).

@roundsquare – Well, exactly.. you’d have to turn the logic off. Logic wouldn’t help in that instance, what is required is listening and understanding without the brain whirring away processing all the variables. I’m thinking of a situation where the emotions felt by the person are not logical or rational, like if you tried to sort it out, it wouldn’t compute because it doesn’t make sense. The person needn’t or shouldn’t feel that way, that sort of thing.

Of course, but even logic can be subjective. Donating to a charity that is remote and unrelated to your own experinces may be illogical from a financial point of view. The rewards however are sufficient enough that people enter into a legaly binding commitment to donate monthly (for example). I’m all for that, but personally I think it may defy logic from a survival of the fittest perspective!? Edit: Unless thinking thinking of the big picture – it helps the species. That is perfectly logical. I’m stumpped!

Ever been to a funeral?

Once a month,I totally free myself of using logic…so far,so good.this excuse has also been used in a court of law ;)

@lucillelucillelucille – Haha, exactly.

When she says no!

@roundsquare can you tell me what exactly logic DOES mean?

@MissAnthrope But thats not a logic works. Logic starts with: “this person does feel that way” and “I care about making this person feel better” and “when this person feels this way this person would be best served by having me be caring, listen, etc…” to conclude “I should be caring, listen, etc…” I can even put it in logical terms.

If this person feels <X> than I am made most happy by acting in <Y> manner.
This person feels <X>.
Therefore I am made most happy by acting in <Y> manner.

@Petelad Exactly. If you like seeing others happy, its logical to make them happy. If you care about poverty, its logical to give to a charity.

@Adirondackwannabe So you are saying that I shouldn’t use logical reasoning to figure out how to act at a funeral? Its not like its illogical to mourn, or to cry, or comfort someone, etc…

@vampmoore Logic is the process which takes you from premises to conclusions that guarantees that if your premises are correct, your conclusions will be as well. Thats it. How other people act (are they very emotional, angry, kind, quiet), what you care about (money, little kids, gender equality) are premises that form the basis of your logical thinking.

@vampmoore Have potentially overdefined logic. I’ll try again in the morning.

@roundsquare – I see your point and am inclined to agree at least somewhat, but if you are using your brain during this time, I feel like it makes one less emotionally open and able to truly empathize. Perhaps I’m stuck on this point because this is an area where I struggle sometimes personally. I’ve a scientist brain and when in that mode, I find myself a few steps outside the situation, and at least somewhat emotionally distanced.

Then, I also am very empathetic, but this requires the scientist brain be turned off.

@MissAnthrope I agree completely with that. As humans we have our limitations. When we are trying to empathize with someone, we need to do just that. We are unable to empathize (fully) and try to “solve the problem” at the same time. Its just the way we are built. I’ve run into the problem you describe where someone says something to me and I say “all you need to do is….” and they get pissed off. It took me a while to learn (with the help of friends).

@vampmoore I’m having trouble coming up with an exact definition, but this tv tropes article probably gets the point across better than I can.