Human Reason and Its Dimensions
Value Feelings
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (fourth century BC) stated that human beings are “intelligent willing or desire intelligent.” This suggests that the human condition is not solely rational but also driven by learning and innate desires, emotions, and feelings.
In the philosophy of primitive Christianity, St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th century) emphasized the importance of love, stating “love and want to make.” Augustine insisted that the most important human right is not solely about development but also about the passion and love that are inherently linked to it. In this view, the person seeks connection with their creator.
During the 18th century, moral sense philosophers, particularly Adam Smith, highlighted the significance of moral sympathy. They believed in the interconnectedness of human beings through feelings, which form the basis of moral judgments and evaluations.
David Hume argued that reason alone cannot motivate behavior; it is passions that drive people to act. He famously stated that reason is the “slave of passions” and should serve and obey them. Conversely, Kant defended the ability of reason to motivate action but acknowledged the existence of respect as a moral feeling.
In the 20th century, Xavier Zubiri attributed “intelligence sense” to human beings, suggesting that feeling is intelligent and integrated into the structure of intelligence. Intelligence, in this view, is not independent of feeling.
Cordial Reason
Humans uncover truth and justice not only through rational arguments but also through affection and feelings. These emotions help us select information that is important to us. The perceived opposition between reason and heart is unjustified because reason acts as a faculty that interprets and expands upon the projects of the heart, comparing and extending theoretical proposals.
Person
Boethius (4th century) defined a person as a substance with an individually rational nature.
Kant viewed a person as a free (autonomous) being capable of creating a world standard.
Personalism, a philosophical movement initiated by Emmanuel Mounier, regards a person as both an individual and a communal reality.
Being a Person and Gain
Mounier’s proposal highlights key aspects of personal reality:
- Existence-incarnated
- Communications
- Liberty-conditioned – commitment
- Capacity-critical-eminent dignity
- Near-friendliness
Human consciousness has two fundamental functions: to perceive ourselves as a distinct reality and to maintain a sense of self-continuity over time.
Difference Between Humans and Animals (Aristotle)
Own-Logos
The ability to think and communicate intelligibly, using conceptual language to refer to, comprehend, and explain reality, forms the argumentative dimension of reason.
Social Dimension
Humans, unlike animals, can live in societies and share a common language, highlighting the intersubjective dimension of human rationality.
Practical Reason
The capacity for reasonable thought, including focus, deliberation, and cautious decision-making, represents the practical or moral dimension of reason.
Rationalities and Reason
Reason encompasses a set of abilities that humans can employ in diverse ways. Kant recognized various uses of reason, leading to the concept of multiple “rationalities.”
Theoretical and Practical Reason
Humans utilize their rational abilities to pursue truth (theoretical reason) and achieve happiness (practical reason). According to Aristotle, theoretical reason deals with “what cannot be otherwise,” while practical reason, also known as prudential reason, guides us toward what is good and beneficial. Practical reason seeks a balance between reason and desire to attain happiness.
Historic and Vital Reason
Historic reason stems from our awareness of history, acknowledging that reason itself is a historical product. Vital reason (RV), developed by Ortega y Gasset, posits that life is inherently rational. Reason is an essential element of life, and life cannot be understood without it. RV, like historical reason, is temporal, existing within and shaped by time.
Instrumental and Communicative Reason
Humans strive to master natural processes through technology to fulfill their needs. Theoretical knowledge has given rise to instrumental rationality, enabling us to control nature and create artifacts. This instrumental approach has extended to social relations (strategic rationality), where others are sometimes treated as means to resolve conflicts and achieve personal goals. This has led to the concept of homo economicus, individuals who act to maximize their own gains.
However, human rationality can also serve the pursuit of agreements and consensus, which is the essence of communicative reason or hermeneutics. This approach emphasizes understanding, dialogue, and shared meaning-making.