Leader Rationale

While the title may be clever, the information in this post is vital to leaderwork… and your sanity. This post started out from the felt need to contribute using this approach based upon this quote from a Substack article:

“I’m not a rational person and you shouldn’t be either.” – Cymposium

“Yet, the question remains whether we can carry out such a dance. Perhaps the tools we’ve been structured with are inherently flawed, and negotiation between them is inexplicably hard to find. Or perhaps there’s hope for humanity, a chance for a radical restructuring of our societies and ourselves.” – Source

**My Response to quote and article:**
Jung is relevant here. Briefly, he noted that the two rational functions T-F: Thinking and Feeling were BOTH rational. This is lost in the debate as this tool moots the debate in my view. The debate is not about irrational S-N functions which Jung also noted — although that’s not a bad place to start… but with the difference in rationalization through logic and rationalization through values; one being guided by logical thinking what some might refer to mistakenly as reason; leaving out the other primary way to rationalize which allows for illogical arguments rooted in values!

IMHO, the tools are present with which to understand what’s happening and why you can’t beat values rational with logic.

I’ve told my executive clients for years that logic can’t override reasoning through values by its very nature, that reasoning can’t be illogical, a fallacy created by those whose only lens is logical. If I can use values, which is illogical, I can set aside any logic as rational. When you can grasp that conundrum, you can enter the debate!

I took this to GPT-4 for depth:

Your argument highlighting the distinction between Carl Jung’s thinking and feeling functions and their relation to rationality is compelling. Here are several key points and sources that might support your contentions:

**Key Points**

1. **Jung’s Rational Functions**:
   – Both Thinking (T) and Feeling (F) are rational functions according to Carl Jung. They involve conscious judgment and decision-making.
   – Thinking is oriented toward objective logic and impersonal analysis.
   – Feeling is oriented toward values, personal values, and subjective impact.
2. **Misinterpretation in Debate**:
   – The common debate often mistakes logic for reason and overlooks the equal legitimacy of value-oriented rationalization.
   – Both thinking and feeling use rational processes to arrive at conclusions, but they employ different criteria — logic for thinking and values for feeling.
3. **Understanding Rationalization through Values**:
   – Logical arguments may fail to persuade those who prioritize values because values-oriented reasoning considers contextual and subjective elements.
   – Recognizing and addressing the role of values in reasoning is crucial for effective communication and influence.

1. **Carl Jung’s Work**:
   – Psychological Types by Carl Gustav Jung – Jung’s foundational text where he outlines the different psychological functions, including the T-F dichotomy of thinking and feeling.
   – The Collected Works of C.G. Jung – Detailed exploration of Jung’s theories on rational functions and the differentiation between thinking and feeling.
2. **Academic Commentaries**:
   – “Rationality and the Psychology of Abstraction” by Philip Kitcher – This examines the role of different forms of rationality in psychology, including value-based reasoning.
   – “Emotion and Reasoning: A Critical Analysis” by Robyn M. Dawes – Discusses how emotions and values are integral to decision-making and rational thought processes.
3. **Modern Interpretations & Applications**:
   – “The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life” by Joseph E. LeDoux – Explores how emotions (and subsequently values) play a role in human rationality.
   – “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman – Though not centered on Jung, this book elaborates on how different cognitive systems interplay, hinting at how value and logic might operate distinctively.

• Jung, C. G. (1921). Psychological Types (Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 6).
–
• Kitcher, Philip. “Rationality and the Psychology of Abstraction.”
–
• Dawes, Robyn M. “Emotion and Reasoning: A Critical Analysis.”

1. **Definition**:
   Logic refers to the process of reasoning consistently and objectively to arrive at conclusions based on observed or inferred facts.
2. **Structure**:
   Logic follows a formal structure, such as deductive, inductive, or abductive reasoning, to ensure arguments are sound and valid.
3. **Focus**:
   It emphasizes correctness, coherence, and validity of the arguments without taking emotions or subjective perspectives into account.
4. **Examples**:
   – **Deductive Argument**: All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
   – **Inductive Argument**: All observed swans are white. Therefore, all swans are probably white.

1. **Definition**: Values refer to the principles and beliefs that an individual or group holds as important, which influence decision-making and moral judgments.
2. **Subjective Nature**: Values are inherently subjective, shaped by cultural, social, and personal factors, and can vary widely between different people and societies.
3. **Focus**: They emphasize what is considered good, desirable, or important based on personal or societal norms, often driving emotional and ethical reasoning.
4. **Examples**: – **Value Judgment**: Honesty is the best policy. Therefore, one should always tell the truth.
   – **Cultural Value**: In some cultures, elder respect is paramount. Therefore, elders should have the final say in family decisions.

• **Objective vs. Subjective**:
  Logic seeks objective truth through structured reasoning, while values are subjective, rooted in personal or cultural beliefs.
• **Consistency vs. Flexibility**: Logical arguments must consistently follow rules of reasoning, whereas values can be more flexible and context-dependent.
• **Universal vs. Personal**: Logical conclusions aim to be universally valid, whereas values can be deeply personal and vary widely.

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