If We Allow the Irrational, We Will Become More Rational

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I’ve heard many people express the concern that what we need is more rationality, not less. In a world that seems full of crazy, inexplicable behavior, why argue for the irrational? Why trouble to make a special place for it in our lives? First of all, because the irrational—or, better said, the trans-rational—exists. I would say we exist within it; and when we try to deny it, it finds expression anyway. Secondly, that which is beyond rationality offers us real value: that is, transcendence, which cannot be achieved within the frame of rationality.

Rationality, definitive and quantifiable, is straightforward to communicate, and thus can be a useful focus of cultural agreement. That’s important—but it isn’t the only thing that’s important. If the cultural view holds that all that is “real” can be known, stated, and defined, then the expression of imaginal, intuitive, and emotional experiences becomes taboo. The lack of context for the trans-rational experience results in the assertion of so-called “facts” that truly have no basis in fact; that is, we see the assertion of non-sense-as-sense when non-sense has no other opportunity for expression. People rationalize all sorts of things when that’s the only acceptable way to communicate.

When people assert their own intuitive perceptions as stronger, deeper, righter, or truer than those of others, they are arguing for the intuition, which is naturally pluralistic, from within the rationalist frame, which only computes “true” or “false.” It can really sound “crazy.” When people rationalize their feelings instead of simply acknowledging them, we hear “crazy” arguments such as, for instance, Christian teachings used to support doing violence to others. These are unconscious expressions of irrationality, and I agree that we don’t need more of that in our “crazy” human world.

But, things that we feel but don’t understand often need expression, and logic isn’t the right form. Symbolic expression that is characterized by ambiguity and plurality can sometimes lead to practical solutions, but its primary value is in providing a way to explore feelings and ideas metaphorically, avoiding the dangers of unconscious manifestation. It can keep us from foolishly acting out all of our impulses.

Beyond the limits of rationality lies the breadth and depth of a more fully participated awareness. In the spaciousness generated by play and possibility, in that space between true and false, relationships and solutions can develop while still honoring differences. Transcendence can occur.

Relax...


Our hyper-rational world is characterized by anxiety and tension. To constrain ourselves to rational thought, we must shut out other experience, ignoring whatever may be considered “extraneous” in a given situation. Such focus is a very useful skill, but only if we can balance it with relaxing that protracted focus. Participation—direct, immersive experience in the world—is an antidote to the anxiety that comes from too much focus.

Playful activities reduce tension, promote joy, and encourage communication of the imaginal. As we use our hands and our bodies for creative making, we also give form to ideas and inspirations. Extending ourselves imaginatively into the unknown, we explore and share the experience of mana. In a relaxed setting, finding agreement becomes more likely.

This essay is a revision of material previously published in Crafting the Mythos-Sphere, M Lounsbury © 2018.