The Core of Our Existence: Why We Need Logic
What makes humans, the physically weakest organism, and the one that is mentally chaotic and existentially empty, able to rule the entire living system? What allows us to adapt, change, and explore all the possibilities and limitations of the universe? We might simply say it’s our brain, thinking that’s a sufficient answer. But what exactly has brought us this far—to the point of exploring space, using nature’s laws to build systems, and creating weapons that can completely wipe out our own existence?
One word connects and integrates all these aspects of life: Logic.
What is logic? It might seem to be just another way of saying “it makes sense” or “that’s correct.” But it’s so much more than that. It includes identity, abstraction, consistency, and inference. We’ll look into all of those in depth in this article.
Before we get into how logic works and its functions, let’s ask an unusual question: Why do we need logic?
It might not seem like a worthy question, but it helps us navigate long-term crises. You might say that logic isn’t something we create; it’s an innate ability of the mind to reason, assume, and conclude. That’s a great point, but here we are asking why we’ve brought logic into our system at all. Why can’t we just deal with emotions and impulses? You might respond, “Gowtham, how can we? That sounds inhuman and would humiliate our cognitive ability.” I completely agree with you. But the reason this question is being raised is that we need to understand the depth of logic to know how and where to apply it in our system. We might say we need it to solve problems, to communicate clearly, and to build reliable systems. But these are just the reflections of logic’s abilities, not the core reason we actually need it.
So, why do we need it?
The core purpose of logic is to somehow show our ability to make meaning in a world of uncertainty, chaos, and incompleteness. You might say, “I’m sad,” which reflects a human emotion. But logic asks: Why? “Because I lost something important.” Now the emotion has context, a cause, and meaning.
People assume that logic destroys emotions, and that rational thought can make feelings less valuable. No, not at all, my friends. If you believe that, you are probably misguided. In fact, it is logic that makes emotions ever-standing, giving them meaning and allowing us to feel the essence of their value over time. Human instincts and emotions are temporary; they change from time to time. But logic helps us stay glued to our way of feeling the world and finding meaning.
If you are sad, people might sense your emotion and say, “Take care,” “Be good,” or “Always smile.” But a true friend, someone who truly loves you, asks “Why?” They understand the thing that makes you sad and help you navigate your struggles and overcome your sadness. That’s logic anchoring meaning.
People think that rational thinking would destroy the essence of feeling life and emotions. No, in fact, it is logic that provides meaning and value to our emotions and our life. But people often confuse logic with distractions. If you think wisely, you won’t fall for destructive elements like social media or fleeting pleasures. Yes, logic helps you avoid them and prompts you to focus on true emotions, like building genuine social connections and relationships out of a desire to take care of and share our feelings with someone forever, not just out of lust. Most people can’t accept the rational thought that they are living in a world of pleasures and illusions, and that is why they deny logic and reasoning.
Navigating Mental States: From Illusion to Insight
Logic is the internal compass that lets us distinguish between illusion and insight. What illusion, and what insight?
The Illusions We Face
- Emotional Illusions:
- Illusion: “I feel like everyone is judging me.”
- Logic asks: “What evidence do I have?”
- Cognitive Illusions:
- Illusion: “If something is popular, it must be good.”
- Logic reveals: Popularity ≠ quality.
- Perceptual Illusions:
- Optical illusions trick the eye, but logic helps us understand the trick.
How Logic Breaks Illusions
You feel anxious before a meeting. You pause and ask:
- “What am I afraid of?”
- “Is this fear based on past experience or imagined failure?”
- “What can I control?”
You realize: you’re not afraid of the meeting—you’re afraid of being misunderstood. That’s insight—a deeper truth revealed through reasoning.
Logic isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about knowing what a problem even is. It’s the very thing that makes humans reflect on and learn from our mistakes to make the present more meaningful.
Creating Coherence: Logic’s Role Across Time
Without logic, our experiences are just isolated moments, like scattered puzzle pieces. With logic, we connect the dots:
- We ask why something happened.
- We see patterns over time.
- We make decisions that shape the future.
Logic turns emotion into insight and reaction into reflection.
Logic lets us link the past, present, and future, so our thoughts evolve instead of just flickering.
A Daily Example: The Difference Logic Makes
Without Logic:
- Monday: You feel irritated.
- Tuesday: You feel anxious.
- Wednesday: You feel tired.
Each day feels disconnected. You think, “I’m just moody.”
With Logic:
- You pause and ask: “What’s causing this pattern? Is there a common thread?”
- You realize: You are running away from your true self.
- You realize this is not the life you want, and it prompts you to chase your dreams and career, thus breaking the daily illusions that people are drowning in.
Without logic, every moment would be disconnected. With logic, we build memory, identity, and progress.
In the end, logic is the fundamental driving force that has allowed humans to design their own world.
- You imagine a tool that plays music based on emotion.
- You define rules: “If emotion = calm → play ambient. If emotion = tense → play lo-fi.”
- You build it. Now, users feel understood.
You didn’t just survive a mood; you created an experience.
Looking Ahead: More Questions on Logic
Now that we have explored the “why” of logic to gain a core understanding of it, some questions come to mind: Is logic an in-built ability or is it formed through practice? How can some people have a natural ability towards reasoning while others struggle? What are the foundational elements of logic? Is logic constant, and is it ever-standing? Will it change, modify, or be completely destroyed over time? If so, what’s the point? Has this ever happened? If so, what is the absolute truth and way of reasoning?
Interesting questions, right? We’ll explore all of those in the next article! 🧐