Reasoning is an essential cognitive process that is incorporated almost in every aspect of adult life. Every person lives in a subjective world, the image of which is formed by person’s beliefs, convictions and thoughts. Everything we do and see is the result of mind activity, as our behavior and perception are built on the basis of the experience we have already had with the image of the world. This mind activity depends on the variety of biological, psychological and social factors that all together create our worldview, our unique picture of things that surround us. However, the exact same event may be perceived in an absolutely different manner by those, whose experience, knowledge and ways of thinking differ. Indeed, there are a lot of paths to which the cognitive processes of thinking and reasoning may lead a person, and the ones that use the easiest ways are often self-centered, control-lacking and potentially harmful both for the people and the world around them. On the contrary, good reasoning skills require efforts, but are capable of making us well-prepared and flexible for the adult life, self-aware and able to take control our attention and perception. The processes of thinking and reasoning largely affect how we live our lives, as they define how we think about every experience we have, how we give meaning to the world around us and how we make our daily choices.
Reasoning can affect how we see the world, as it defines the perspective from which we perceive every experience we have. Wallace in the speech “This is Water” explains that the essence of liberal art education is to teach students how to think, as it is the most valuable human ability. Our mind is a muscle that requires training, as without the training it takes the easiest path that is defined by its default-setting – egocentrism (Wallace 2005). And it is logical, as we perceive the world subjectively, and from our point of view everything revolves around us, as we seem to be the center of our own existence. Without cognitive efforts it is impossible to understand that there are a lot of people around and they are not merely some uncertain obstacles in our lives, but human beings with their own experiences, beliefs and problems that may be more or less important than ours. The world is not an ideal place that always gives off joy and happiness, so it is very useful not to take everything personally. If people reason in a self-aware manner, they are able to see that the range of both good and bad experiences are not something that defines what the things really are, but rather something that defines the way they think about these experiences labeling some of them bad or good. It is a matter of subjective perception, and the perception is a matter of reasoning. Our path of thinking that logically connects causes and effects, draws connections between events and critically evaluates the reality is capable of getting away from egocentrism and allowing us to see the world from a different perspective that is less biased by our inner craving to perceive the universe, as something revolving around us. And this perspective respectively affects how we live our lives, as we are able to see the things we otherwise would not be able to see, and it changes our behavior and attitudes.
We influence the way we live our lives by giving certain meaning to the experience we have to deal with. Reasoning not only allows us to think differently about the same thing, but also gives us ability to notice and prioritize things to which we do not normally pay attention. According to Wallace, there are so many important things happening around us, and we are simply unaware of them, as we are concentrated on something different, the things we tend to prioritize. The example of fish that is not aware of the water (Wallace 2005) shows how we often are not conscious of the meaning of the most obvious and at the same time most important things. Reasoning allows reevaluating these meanings by the means of perception and remaking the priority of the things to which we pay attention. Taking control of the awareness and alertness is crucial to get rid of arrogance that seems to parasitize the mind of a person. Arrogance makes us think that we know everything, that we are conscious about the most crucial events and that we possess sufficient knowledge to tell right from wrong. However, most of the time it is our certainties rather than uncertainties that are wrong. Critical thinking skills give person a chance to dig deeper into the reality and see what is actually real. Meaning is what a mind searches in the reality and it is crucial to judge the meaning of the experiences critically and reasonably. Wallace claims that “it is extremely difficult to stay alert and attentive instead of getting hypnotized by the constant monologue inside your own head” (Wallace 2005). And again, it concerns our default-setting to be concentrated only on our own desires and needs that seem to be the priority. But the thing is that the meaning we automatically construct and the meaning that exists in reality differ, so it is essential to establish the true meaning of things to make our lives conscious and fulfilling. The life is difficult to bear if one does not exercise control over the way one constructs meaning of the events and situation, beliefs and values.
Reasoning defines how we make everyday choices that affect the way we live our lives. It depends on the perspective we have about the situations we face, and it takes into account the way we perceive the world and the way we construct meaning. On the basis of what we see and how we see it, we are making choices about the value of things, about beliefs and opinions. Wallace says that “In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” (Wallace 2005). It means that we have to choose what to believe in, as there is not such option, as not to choose. We are making these choices every day grounding them on the way we think and reason, and these choices define our life. It is up to every person to decide what way to choose and good reasoning skills are essential to make the right choice and carefully set the priority. The choice is also a matter of control, as it is possible to make choices without realizing it; however, the quality of these choices is doubtful and may lead a person into desperation, boredom or anxiety about the injustices of the world. The unconscious choice is easy to make, but leads to dissatisfaction, while the conscious one, based on critical thinking and reasoning, requires a lot of concentration and effort, but may help one to achieve the desired freedom. Ability to make choices is a freedom itself, but choosing wisely is having control over one’s life and over one’s freedom. These choices define our behavior and our attitudes toward our role in our life, environment and the world in general.
The way we reason affects how we live our day to day lives. The easiest way is to stay unconscious about one’s thinking, decision-making and behavior, but it is the way of life that may bring a person suffering and dissatisfaction. On the contrary, good reasoning skills allow person to become self-aware and well-prepared to the variety of situations that the life is to offer and make the life fulfilling. Critical thinking and reasoning enable us to alter our perception of the usual things that surround us, and see them from the new perspectives. It gives us capabilities to thoroughly construct meaning of everyday situations and events and set priorities that help to get rid of egocentrism and arrogance. Reasoning skills help us to make conscious choices and pay attention not only to our inner desires and thoughts, but also to the world around us. These skills are essential in the daily routines of adult lives, as they help to stay alert, critical and consistent in our thinking and behavior.
Works Cited
Wallace, David Foster. “This is Water” 21 May 2005. Kenyon Commencement Address.
