Philosophy For Our Times

The limits of logic: Should we embrace the irrational? |Iain McGilchrist, Beatrix Campbell, Simon Blackburn

Jul 8, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Iain McGilchrist, a philosopher and neuroscientist; Beatrix Campbell, a socialist and feminist writer; and Simon Blackburn, a prominent philosopher, explore the limitations of logic in our lives. They argue that embracing irrationality can lead to a richer understanding of human experience. The conversation highlights how over-reliance on rationality can obscure personal growth and the complexities of human relationships. They assert that meaningful connections and embracing uncertainty are essential for true happiness.
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INSIGHT

Why Embracing the Irrational is Vital for Wisdom and Politics

Logic is an important tool for consistency but it cannot explain or encompass all of life’s truths, especially those involving intuition, experience, and human complexity. Iain McGilchrist argues that reason has limits and contrasts two kinds of reason: "Verstand" (rule-based logic) and "Vernunft" (wise, experience-based judgment).

Political and personal life often require embracing contradictions, ambiguity, and the unsayable like trauma and subordination, which do not fit neatly into logical frameworks. Beatrix Campbell highlights that political struggles involve contingent, lived realities that aren’t always logical or consistent.

Simon Blackburn emphasizes that while consistency in logic is critical, discovery and transformation often come from intuition and creativity beyond logic. All agree that rationality cannot fully capture the nuances of human experience or the social and emotional aspects that matter most.

INSIGHT

Logic's Place and Limits

  • Logic is a crucial tool for consistency but cannot address all aspects of reality or ultimate truths.
  • Intuition, guided by experience, complements reason in understanding life.
INSIGHT

Consistency as Logic's Core

  • Consistency is key to logical coherence; contradictions signal flaws needing revision.
  • Logic ensures internal coherence but does not generate new discoveries or handle empirical knowledge.
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