Logic vs. Emotion
Fight weak emotions with the power of logic; fight the weakness of logic with the power of emotion.
People make decisions based on one of competing thought processes: logic and emotions.
Sometimes, these two can be intertwined. Deciding whether your choices are made by logic or emotions is an important part of ensuing that you’re making the best decisions for you.
According to Psychology Today, most decisions (90%) are driven by emotions, even though most people think that they approach decision making through logic. Emotions can be powerful. But logic, the ability to make decisions using sound and rational thought processes, is something that may be missing from your decision process.
There are flaws in both decision making tools.
Both of these have their strengths. Logic is the method of making decisions that uses sound and rational decision making to find the best conclusion. Emotions, however, are your true feelings. While logic is the brain, emotion is the heart, and the heart is where your true happiness is.
But both also have their flaws. Some of these flaws are:
Logic:
- Logic cannot always be completed without emotion, especially with regards to decisions that affect life satisfaction. Relationships, jobs, and other major decisions are not always logical decisions. For example, a partner may look great on paper but he or she does not create feelings of love and excitement. If such is the case, they may not be the right partner for you.
- Logic isn’t a simple process. A lot of mental and physical energy may be required to make logical decision. This may be more than your time and attention allows. Making a logical conclusion quickly can be very difficult and time consuming.
Emotions:
- How you feel may not actually be what is best for you or what your heart really wants. Many former partners after break up feel like they miss their relationship. They may give in and get back together. This can be a mistake, as missing someone is common after any relationship simply because a part of your life has changed.
- Emotions aren’t controlled by logic. So, you can have emotions that are completely irrational given the situation. Anxiety and depression are extreme versions of this problem.
Emotions can also change the way you think and control behavior. This may mean that your “logic” may be affected by emotions. This happens to those struggling with mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, where their emotions make them think in illogical ways.
So, which is better?
In my opinion logic is better than emotion. The more you think critically and objectively about a decision before you make it, the more likely the decision will be the best for you. The less you are driven by emotion and instinct, the fewer impulsive or irrational decisions you will make.
But you shouldn’t be without emotion. This plays a significant role in decision making, even logical decision making.
We are persuaded by reason, but we are moved by emotion. Several studies conclude that up to 90 percent of the decisions we make are based on emotion.
I am definitely in the decision by logic camp. To me, too many decisions are made on emotions and turn out poorly because the right thought was not put into them. While feelings of the heart are certainly important, those things do not play well in certain areas such as finance or science.
I will admit that I too make emotional decisions. As a human it is inevitable, although I am sure there are some who either lack emotion or block it out in making any and all decisions. That is not good. But to base most if not all decisions on emotions is also not good and can certainly lead to some great disappointments.
What and how we decide is entirely up to us. There is no right or wrong way. It is a matter of choice and each of us has that ability to choose. Just remember to take both into account when doing so.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter H. Christian was a founding partner and president of espi, a business consulting firm in Northeastern PA. Previously he was an Executive at Crayola Corporation. He has worked with 300+ clients in business development, profit improvement, operations, IS selection and implementation, and Project Management. He has 40+ years of experience in strategic and facility planning, CI, lean, and supply chain. He has helped companies to realize millions of dollars in cost reductions and profit improvements adding and retaining thousands of jobs. He has authored the Amazon bestselling business books, “What About the Vermin Problem?” and “Influences and Influencers” (4 out of 4 star review on Online Bookclub) and is published in a variety of professional magazines. He is most appreciative of Dr. Rodney Ridley and Donald Schalk of the O’Pake Institute, Alvernia University for their support in allowing him to teach this important course
