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colorebel 
Traveller in the arts
Posts: 7
(1/18/02 8:52 am)
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Spirituality vs. Logic
Here's an age-old debate...

Can you be spiritual and still be a logical person?

"If you walk you can dance, If you talk you can sing."

The Treehouse

Sanduleak
Wordsmith
Posts: 223
(1/18/02 4:09 pm)
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Re: Spirituality vs. Logic
I think so, yes, by my definition of spirituality as how one feels and/or relates to something or indeed 'everything.' (Everything as in the universe, the essence of life, or the totality of being etc.)

One can have a spiritual connection with a work of art, in the sense that a feeling is engendered by the use of colour, line etc (beyond the immediately apparent.) A feeling of wonder, or awe, sometimes beyond explanation in purely logical terms. If I look at a Jackson Pollock or Mark Rothko painting I can see or feel it as metaphoric in some sense to any number of concepts, purely as metaphor. This doesn't contravene logic because I'm not claiming it (or understanding it) to be anything more than metaphoric or analogous. If however I say that 'that's actually an exact likeness of The Eiffel Tower, or Dwight D. Eisenhower' then that would contravene the principles of logic because a quick perusal of photographic evidence of the originals and comparison to the artwork would falsify my claim.

Neuroscience is making progress all the time in respect to neurotransmitters and how what we know as 'feelings' can be explained in pure logic and biochemistry. We might one day find that it's just a bunch of peptides or just neurons passing information, but I venture that we'll still 'feel' a certain spirituality in some sense. Even if it's just within the everyday; love, compassion etc.

People can and do relate spiritually to any number of things. In a free world, they must be allowed to. I'd posit that the boundary where spirituality causes a fault in logic is only reached when that spirituality is taken not as a relationship but as a stone cold fact in the objective, without evidence; either through empirical science or logical reasoning.

Pete Earsman
Poet
Posts: 44
(1/23/02 3:18 pm)
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Re: Spirituality vs. Logic
Bearing in mind that the definition of 'spirituality' will differ from person to person, yes I believe the two things can co-exist. At least in our present stage of knowledge about such things. Sanduleak got it right I think.
Perhaps it's the laying back into something for the pure emotional journey without wishing or attempting to explain it.

I consider myself to be fairly well grounded, but it doesn't take a lot for me to lose my logical perspective when faced by some of the beauty and sounds of this little planet.

cheers
Peter E

colorebel 
Traveller in the arts
Posts: 11
(1/24/02 5:17 am)
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Re: Spirituality vs. Logic
Again...well said!

I agree wholeheartedly. I think I'm going to have to work harder to come up with some deeper topics for this forum! *L*

"If you walk you can dance, If you talk you can sing."

The Treehouse

Winging
Unregistered User
(2/24/02 2:01 pm)
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Logic
We believe a variety of things. Our beliefs are founded in something therefore we are logical....even if we have forgotten what and why we believe what we do and are not able to logically explain. (Is language based on/in logic?

I am both spiritual and logical.....even if what I say does not appear to be founded in the hearers logic system or belief system!!
:)
Visit my web site and see

colorebel 
Traveller in the arts
Posts: 16
(2/26/02 12:04 pm)
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Re: Logic
Welcome Winging!

I think this was the best reply yet to this question. I think that taking the step beyond a single belief system and approching spirituality as a whole is the key. Too often, I see individuals singled out for "illogical" beliefs and persecuted for something that is often founded in careful thought and supported by many people.

Thank you for your contributions all of you...your answers have been very concise and intriguing.

"If you walk you can dance, If you talk you can sing."

The Treehouse

Fisseha
Traveller in the arts
Posts: 2
(9/13/03 6:48 am)
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Re: Spirituality vs. Logic
Sanduleak wrote:
Quote:
People can and do relate spiritually to any number of things. In a free world, they must be allowed to. I'd posit that the boundary where spirituality causes a fault in logic is only reached when that spirituality is taken not as a relationship but as a stone cold fact in the objective, without evidence; either through empirical science or logical reasoning.
Agree.
But, was it not asked here whether or not "spirituality" and "being logical" compatible in one and the same person? Nevertheless, most of the answers given seem to me to have, deliberately or not, first presupposed the necessity of being logical, and then considered the possibilities for being spiritual. On what basis can we take logic for granted? Reason?
Among others, I was fascinated to learn from Rorty that the late Heidegger considered REASON, which was glorified for centuries, as the most stiff-necked adversary of thought! It may be a hard saying, but I believe it has an element of truth.

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