Single Idea 6555

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 5. Rationality / b. Human rationality]

Full Idea

We as human beings are also irrational animals, unique among animals in our capacity to place faith in bizarre fictions of our own construction.

Gist of Idea

We are also irrational, with a unique ability to believe in bizarre self-created fictions

Source

Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Intro)

Book Reference

Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.1


A Reaction

This is glaringly true, and a very nice corrective to the talk of Greeks and others about man as the 'rational animal'. From a distance we might be described by Martians as the 'mad animal'. Is the irrational current too strong to swim against?