On emotion vs logic: Peter Singer

Emotion is produced by feeling, feelings are not facts but rather the subconscious existing in us that arrive and eventually pass. When something triggers us positively or negatively, that trigger manifests as a feeling. When we base our decision off of something that is temporary, it usually does not provide the best outcome for situations that require more logic; or analytical conceptualization.

This is not to say that emotions cannot produce valid outcomes – they can. If emotional outcome arises consistently from a source and is noticed, that source is validated and should be considered.

Logic needs to be incorporated when it’s not us we are making conclusions on, but as a greater whole. Our emotions cannot be assumed to align with emotions of others; but critical analysis of the situation outside of the emotional evidence needs to be considered.

This consensus is also solidified by spiritual teachings. Consider our thoughts and emotions are like a branch in a stream, moving with the flow of the water. Constant floating, passing branches in the water can indeed prompt belief in a structured reality. For example a tree in the distance that is loosing it’s limbs. This tree acts to solidify our beliefs from observation, but the tree itself is not in the stream.

When considering a large boulder in the stream, it represents a constant beyond our control. It is not coming and going. It was once derived from a larger rock but does not function as a floating branch. In this sense the boulder provides logic, which is that of constant factual information.

We invite you to listen to the NPR Hidden Brain podcast “Justifying The Means: What It Means To Treat All Suffering Equally” with Philosopher Peter Singer and host Shankar Vedantam.