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Home | Psychology of Wellness | Emotions | Emotions and Logic

Emotions and Logic

Integrating Two Powerful Sources of Wisdom

BY: T. Franklin Murphy | September 2016 (Edited June 8, 2022)
A picture of a brain. One side blue and the other side red. A Flourishing Life Society article on emotions and logic
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Healthy living isn't all logic or all emotion but a smooth blend of both. The aliveness of feeling mixed with the preparedness of thought.
The emotions are not logical, at least not on the surface. Many philosophers discredit emotions because of the seemingly illogical action of passion. We evaluate, measure and find meaning in life with words—a logical process. And thus, excess emotions confuse. But experience is too expansive to be beaten and corralled into a few defining words. Experience is much more. The value of life is felt—not explained. The colors of the sky, when identified, cheapens the experience, disrupting the quiet awe of gazing into the undefinable heavens.

We need language to sort through the complexities. Our words and deeper meanings organize data to achieve great feats. But all our successes ultimately are desired because of the pleasure they generate. We live in a world where emotions and logic collide, each giving and taking value from the other.

Emotions and Vulnerability

The ambiguousness of emotions creates vulnerability. When awash in emotion, we feel fragile, at the mercy of an unexplainable power. The answer, for some, is to seek immunity, blocking feelings to create a measure of security; but the security comes at a great cost. In vulnerability, we find strength.

​The emotions are building blocks of connection—connection with self, others and experience. When we inhibit felt experience, denying emotional interaction with the world, we become rigid. The rigidity of action is born from emotional disconnection. The unfelt life cripples experience, diminishing immeasurable values, relationships are superficial, and connection to the unknown destroyed.
 
Emotionally driven lives also have notable flaws. Too much sensitivity creates chaos. Emotional flooding derails long-term goals—we say hurtful things, we damage important relationships, and chase unobtainable dreams. The emotionally driven soul, full of unbridled passions, rushes into unknown thickets, risking security while chasing imaginary prey.
"The desire of perfection became the ruling passion of their soul; and it is well known, that while reason embraces a cold mediocrity, our passions hurry us, with rapid violence, over the space which lies between the most opposite extremes."
Edward Gibbon

A flourishing life integrates the awe of emotions with the rationality of thought. Neither emotions nor logic is better than the other. We need both and must blend them for optimal experience. Each (emotion and logic) offering different qualities to experience. We can’t blindly default to one or the other; but purposely should shift focus back and forth, examining the role of each.

Key Definition: Integration

Linking different elements into a functional whole that performs in a superior manner than the individual parts.
A common approach to logic and emotions, in a less adaptive way, is to react emotionally then justify the unruly behavior, never scrutinizing the emotionally driven actions for constructiveness. Ego-protecting defenses (often a function of language) interfere with healthy futures. We explain away foolishness to protect our delicate image. Intelligence doesn’t prevent destructive action. Often intelligence creatively articulates complex justifications, difficult for others (and the self) to discredit. No matter how well articulated, some behaviors destroy futures, weaken relationships, and leave us lonely and sad.
 
Smooth integration of experience is an art that few master. But even with slight improvements, we derive great benefits. We must awkwardly stumble through new experiences while consciously working to integrate, alternating attention, examining emotions, checking logical explanations, and then re-examining the whole again.

As we become more practiced, we notice less rigidity—or chaos. We can stand tall to the defining moments where important decisions are made; not destroyed by a reactionary huff, but carefully guided by emotion and logic to a mindfully felt and organized approach. In balancing emotions and logic, we find joy in the moment, and guiding wisdom for the future.
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T. Franklin Murphy
T. Franklin Murphy
Wellness. Writer. Researcher.
​T. Franklin Murphy has a degree in psychology. He tirelessly researches scientific findings that contribute to wellness. In 2010, he began publishing his findings.

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Emotion article database
Flourishing Life Society Link: Emotional Intelligence
FLS link-- Emotional Regulation: Emotions energize and push for action. Healthy regulation capitalizes on the richness of emotion and directs the energy towards life objectives.

​Other Flourishing Life Society articles of interest on this topic:

Emotional Hijacking. A Flourishing Life Society article link
We are pulled into harmful routines by emotion. We feel and then we react. Unfortunately, our reaction isn't always helpful. We need space to think and then act more appropriately.
FLS Link. The Fleeting Emotions. When emotionally flooded, it is difficult to cognitively inject thoughts to escape the moment. We need habitual practices that we automatically integrate into these moments that calm the system first, then we can cognitively join adapt, thinking of the future.
Feeling: The Experience of Living. A Flourishing Life Society article link
Emotional Patterns. When Emotional Reactions Hurt. A Flourishing Life Society article link
Emotional Response. Emotions and Goal Fulfillment. A Flourishing Life Society article image link
Chasing a better life, we sometimes neglect the very things that give us the life we seek.
Achieving the most from the wisdom of emotions requires purposeful effort to integrate emotions into our larger concepts of self.
Mindful examination of the two internal guidance systems behind our action can refine errant predictions and misguided reactions.
Wise Mind. Blending emotion and logic. A Flourishing Life Society article link
Pesky Emotional Outbursts. When Emotions Take Over. A Flourishing Life Society article link
We move through stages of behavior, thought and emotion. Each phase impacting the others. We work to change by modifying any (and sometimes all) of the stages.
Emotions and Logic. A Flourishing Life Society article link
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