What does the word "reason" (in its noun-form) conjure for you? Does its factual connotation denounce or pronounce its value, for you? Does it present itself with a face of arrogance, or perhaps a discord with creative thought? Does it pop, or does it fizzle?
In conversations about the topic of reason, with those in favor of and opposed to secular thought, I often get the feeling that reason lacks romantic appeal. For clarity, I am suggesting that romantic appeal is the sentimental capsule for love, hope, kindness, and empathy. That being said, its as if reason, or a belief in concepts that evidentially align with fact, are worse for the wear because they protect reality, rather than foster mysticism.
Upon thinking about this, my natural instinct said to form a case against the romanticism of belief in unreasonable and antiquated concepts. But, like in any debate, the more time one spends dogging on the opposition, the more likely the opposition is to close their mind and put up a barrier. So, I'm going to fight that instinct and spend your valuable Internet-time bolstering a case for the romance of reasonable thought. Herein:
Creativity is a rich, often therapeutic way of seeing and thinking about existence, and beyond. Its a medium of thought that allows the mind to either break from the restraints of our linear life path, or at the very least, loosen them a bit. Creativity often translates into art of many kinds. Its safe to say that we all find value in the art of language, canvas, invention, sculpture, sustenance, etc. Even when intangible and metaphorical, creativity can bond individuals because its a forum for subjective thought. Fact is not required; fiction is as welcome as any other characteristic.
Creativity can translate to fact, especially when it comes to invention. It does not have to remain in dysfunction with fact. Before planes became the norm, the idea of flying like a bird was a radical idea reserved for dreamers. As we all know, it took creative, innovative minds to discern that flight is possible, and can be factually diagnosed. This can be said for a number of staples in our life today, from unlikely food combinations to space exploration.
However, the inverse of its ability to translate into something factual is its ability to remain fanatical. Creativity more commonly translates to fiction. I will not give examples or go into detail, because we can all reference stories, books, and tall-tales that exemplify creative genius, but have no home on the plane of fact.
We harbor adoration for this type of creativity. It may be in the form of a child's imagination. We do not fault a 6-yr old child for thinking that whales could flap their tail and fly out of the water into the sky. In fact, we find it cute! It demonstrates a richness of the mind, and a stage in learning. Creativity can be beautiful, even when naive. It cultivates a random, spontaneous thought and molds it to the taste of the thinker. For those in my age range, it can turn ordinary turtles into pizza-loving crime fighters, with a giant rat sensei. That's entertaining!
Drawing you back to my original point, when advocating reason as it relates to pious or secular topics, the romantic appeal of fictional creativity is at play. Its romantic to think that one has a relationship with an unknown, unspoken deity and is both nothing and everything, simultaneously. Its romantic to think that a spared life in a brutal car accident is an act of God. Its romantic to believe that we have an individual purpose on this planet, one that nobody can take away from us. This is fictionally creative because we have no evidence to suggest that any of this is true.
Reason becomes flat and unappealing. When arguing that the pious individual is simply talking to himself, that the spared life is nothing more than a complex physics equation, or that purpose on this planet is to reproduce like all other living species, those speaking on the behalf of reason look like a Debbie Downers. I can see how this is the case, because we are trained from our youth to be creative and romantic. Art and music are staples in most school curriculum, and excelling in these fields brings about local, if not national honor.
For this reason, I posed the question about how the word "reason" resonates with you. If it boxes you into a mindset of textbooks and science tests, take this opportunity to adopt a new likeness:
Reason is one of the most rich and personal concepts that we are fortunate to experience. It blends the past, present, and future of our experience and emotions. It is dynamic and honest. As individuals, do we not seek honesty before deception? Is it not more appealing to know what IS, rather than what ISN'T likely? Factual creativity is more useful in our adult world because ideas turn into inventions, such as airplanes.
This is not to say that fictional creativity is useless. It is not. Its a catalyst for our youth. But, as our concept of reason develops with age, it is criminal not to apply it. It is criminal to allow child-like creativity to guide our understanding of this life. As children, we were spurred towards creativity because of its catalytic and developmental value. However, as adults, we would be better to apply this creativity to music and art, and separate it from our existential opinions. Ignorance towards reason as it relates to religious thought is an allowance for fiction...the same fiction the guides our youth. Ask yourself: as much as you may love your child, would you allow him or her to repair your car, operate on your spouse, or explain the laws of physics?
Now, if a child was diagnosed a genius of the functional sort, would you allow a him or her to conduct any of these activities? What separates a genius from his or her peers? ...the ability to reason at an age when reason has not generally developed. The ability to learn, more quickly, how reason dictates our being is a prime characteristic of a child-genius.
The indisputable answers do not always lie in reason, but the likelihood does. The absolute truth is not available to any of us, but it leans towards reason. Reason is an ally. Reason does not yearn to deceive you. Reason is clear and sunny in a sky where religious manifestations cloud. Reason offers free thought in an existence that perpetuates irrationality through child-like religious ideas. While many succumb to this romance of the religious imagination, reason awaits your better judgement.
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