Why Utilize Reasoning

Abstract

Reasoning is listed in the dictionary as 1) the act or process of a person who reasons, 2) the process of forming conclusions, judgments, or inference from facts or premises, and 3)the reasons, arguments, proofs, etc. resulting from this process (Dictionary.com) Reasoning is used every day by individuals when it comes to providing conclusions to simple or complicated issues in our lives. It would be quite difficult to not use reasoning in our lives, choosing aspects of decisions on a whim, and therefore I would disagree with the following statement: "It doesn't make any real difference whether you arrive at your views based on reasoning or not."

Why Utilize Reason?

Growing up, I remember hearing countless times from the authority figures in my life, whether they were speaking directly to me or someone else in my family, "If so-and-so jumped off a bridge, would you follow them? The answer is always a resounding, "no," however the problem lies in the lack of reason when it comes to doing something that was wrong or is getting us in trouble because we did not really think about the consequences or how badly we would be negatively impacted in a situation. Bottom line: Just because someone else does something does not mean we need to do it, and that we need to think about our actions beforehand.

Without the skill of reason and utilizing this in our lives, we would not have any moral values, or care about the influences others have on us or that we have on others. Christians place value on the concept of good and evil and doing what we believe is positive with the example of Jesus as our guide. He is a great example of an individual that used reasoning skills in his life to benefit the lives of others. He did so with great love and compassion (which would be unheard of in a world without reasoning).

I question if humans did not act on their own judgment of what they believed to be right and wrong because they chose not to reason. I imagine this would look like great chaos. I can see it now, individuals walking towards a bank, flipping a coin that will decide for them if they are going to commit robbery. Or consider, a man who passes an attractive woman, flipping a coin to decide if he is going to commit adultery today.

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs has proven that individuals feel a great sense of security within their relationships after their physical needs are met. Without the use of reasoning and judgment in our lives, people would not very likely thrive in society. Without reasoning there wouldn't be a measure for our lives, justification of time spent on Earth, and certainly not of a life that could be lived in heaven or elsewhere for eternity. Not only would there not be a measure for our lives, but I believe people would not really care.

Conclusion

Reasoning allows us the opportunity to weigh our decisions and utilize critical thinking skills in developing choices for our lives. When we have choices in life, we become more confident and less likely to become run down with life and regret. Reasoning is an important aspects of our lives since it allows us independence.

References

American Dictionary.Dicitionary.com, Acquired Sept. 3, 2009

GCU (2009). Reasoning Lecture..