There are always arguments about which way of thinking is better: logical or emotional.  I guess people are quick to judge which side is better because there is a yearning to understand and find out an ideal choice.  For if an actual event were to arise, many people would want to have that one choice to rely on constantly.  Maybe one side is better than the other, in terms of effectively approaching a situation.  But if one side is better than the other, then in what circumstances would the other prevail?

Logical decisions are, of course, based on rationality.  Thinking through certain events require a level of understanding of the current situation.  For example, if one is stuck on a math problem during a timed exam, it would be logical for him to skip this problem and come back to it later on.  Because if he is constantly reworking this same problem over and over, he'd be running the risk of not being able to complete the entire test.  Not only that, but he'll be setting himself for rushed thinking and thereby making simple mistakes.

Logical decisions also root itself in thinking through things in a linear and specific fashion.  Since emotion isn't involved, there are no complexities to really polarize a decision over another.  That's why when someone is under a lot of pressure, peers would often advise the decision-maker to stay calm and collected because emotions could often interfere with logical assessments. 

On the other side of the coin, emotional decisions are based on feelings.  Feelings often irrational at times, and it's hard to pinpoint what these emotions are trying to say.  Many feelings and emotions fluctuate and do not remain static.   They are complex.  Far from simple and specific than its counterpart, emotional decisions can include choices based on impulses and desires.  However, these decisions are somewhat like a loose cannon.  It could work out really well, or that very decision could drag everything with it in a fiery blaze.

So then, when is it an emotional type of decision-making is superior?  Emotions are very complex, and perhaps the circumstances that would be most suit emotional-based decisions are just as complex.  Say, for example, a father insists that his daughter not hang out with this one boy that she likes.  If she refuses, her father would disown her.  On a logical point of view, the daughter staying away from the boy would be the best choice.  Because if she doesn't, she would not have the benefit of having a roof over her head, food and water, Saturday morning cartoons,and other kinds of nurturing things a kid may find in a home.  However, her heart dismisses these "benefits" and would rather follow her heart.  I suppose almost everybody has heard this kind of generic type of story.  But it brings up an important point in the discussion.  Going with her lover could flourish, or it could end in heartache.  It's hard to say if whether logical or emotional decisions work best here because it's really based on how intense the feelings are for the daughter.  Personally, though, I believe an emotional choice here could be suitable because the rational dimension does not fulfill what the emotions are yearning for.

A bit off topic, but I remember watching the movie Sophie's Choice.  When Sophie is put to the spot on whether to choose her son or daughter to be taken away by the Nazis, she chose her daughter to be killed.  At first I thought: why?  Her daughter is much younger than her son.  Wouldn't Sophie want chose her son to go instead because he is older and has lived a much longer life than his sister had?  At first, I thought many mothers would choose to have their youngest child live because they would want that child to experience life more.  But then it hit me.  Maybe Sophie wanted her son to live was because of the fact that he is older.  Older children are better adapted to the environment, and their immune system is much stronger than that of younger children.  Perhaps Sophie was being logical on believing that the probability of her son persisting through the Holocaust was much stronger than that of her young and  frailed daughter.  Though, having to send one of your children off and be killed is no easy choice for any mother.

I was hoping writing down these thoughts would solidify my thoughts on logic and emotions.  The more I think about it, logic seems to be the best way of approaching certain situations.  Because when one makes decisions in the heat of things, it's often not the best and wise decision in the world.  I suppose there are many life experiences ahead for me to see and find out and cement any experiences that would allow emotions to spearhead certain events.


Thinh Nguyen

Sometimes, one just cannot find the right words to say.  Language is such a tricky thing to master.  It can slip through one's tounge and come across as a different intended meaning.  It can skew even the most brilliant of minds in literature as the writer tries ever so hard to pin point an exact thesis.  No doubt, it can be incredibly frustrating to muster one's emtions into words.

Now, I realize why the cliche saying that, "A picture is worth a thousand words," is so redundantly used.  In many cases, visual stimulation has a much more powerful effect on creating certain feelings for an individual.  A painting of Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh, might trigger a sort of evocative flashback of one's past or spontaneously capture a certain magical and wondrous mood created by the swirling brushstrokes and vibrant hues.  No amount of words can describe how one could be feeling.

Another way words can be limiting is that it cannot explain how one is feeling when listening to music.  For many people, music heals the soul.  Whether it'd be soft piano tunes, the sounds of rain, or even the classics from the 70s-80s artists, music has a such profound effect on people.  An upbeat song might compel an individual to hop right up and dance, or a fast-paced one could opt others to get jiggy with one another.  There are so many things happening at once that it is often impossible not to give in and enjoy the lustrous sounds of music.

Emotions are very complex.  Words are abitrary and confined.  No matter how hard one person tries, there is just no way words can match the complexity and fluctuating feelings of emotion.

However, words can evoke strong emotions.  Story books have been around forever, and anyone finishing one would definately take with him or her a certain degree of how they've felt throughout the story.  Of course, everyone's interpretations and feelings while reading the book could be mixed.  This points out that although words can be abstract, it can definately leave a lasting impression on someone, just as art or music--but just not as strong (personal belief).


Thinh Nguyen

Just listen.

It's about 1:35AM right now, but it was my first back day back to school at college early last morning.  As part of a sort of new year's resolution, I decided to wake up early and exercise for about half and hour, just to get the heart pumping and the blood circulating before getting ready.  I jogged and walked around my neighborhood for 5 rounds, but I started to feel fatigued and noxious.  I entered back into the house, walking back and forth and trying not to put stress on my muscles.  I later threw up 3-4 times in the bathroom sink.  What a start!

I have to say, I was looking foward going back to school.  The summer seemed like like an eternity of day-to-day slouching over and feeling listless for the most part.  It was as if I was somehow losing part of myself by not doing much at all, other than work.  Beginning the first couple of classes, I noticed that something was off.  I remember coming to college for my first year.  I was very conscious of my strengths.  When I mean strength, I mean having that state of awareness of concentrating in the class and having a sort of postive outlook on it.  I noticed that somewhere along the line, it has diminished.  Lately, I've been very doubtful of my purpose in life and of my overall abilities in all subjects.  It seems as if I'm trying to search for something, but I can't really put my finger on it--for it's very abstract and transparent.

Hopefully, having art class tomorrow will raise my spirits.


Thinh Nguyen