Logical
How we make our choices?
There are folks who use ‘logic’ as the main ‘tool-in-their-toolbox’. It’s a valuable tool to have, because when we can be logical we’re better able to communicate clearly with others about what we want to explain. Our brains can consider hundreds of little external factors in a flash, and then process them just to make one ‘logical’ decision.
For those of us who use ‘logic’, it’s important to remember that there are other people who use their ‘feelings’ to inform them about how best to proceed. Logic is fine, … but it’s not their ‘go-to’ tool, when they’re not sure what to do. These folks are often discounted, ignored and even invisible to ‘logical systems’, especially when ‘logical people’ disagree with their conclusions. By paying attention to ‘how’ we balance our ‘logic’ and our ‘feelings’ when we make a decision, we can learn how to resolve and even avoid disagreements with others. Many of us have found that using logic by itself to convince someone to change their position or belief, doesn’t really work very well. Most of us have experienced sitting with our father as he ‘man-splained’ things to us with his best ‘logic’, … yes?
So with that in mind, and our Presidential Election happening in the next few days, this may be a good time to look at how we make our decisions. I think we have some kids here who can help us.
“Logical”
Cho: Logical, Logical! C
Why do you have t’be so logical? G-C
Never-mind, don't tell me why! F-Dm
You’ll have a logical reply! G, G7-C
Kid: Dad, I’m too full to eat my beans. Dm-C
Dad: You’re too full? What does that mean? Am-G
Kid: My tummy’s got no room, it’s true! Dm-C
Dad: That means no room for dessert too? Am, G-C
Kid: Well, I’ve got space left for ice cream! F-C
Dad: Then you could fill that space with beans! F-Am
Kid: But beans are overflowing Dad! F-C
Dad: No room for ice cream then, too bad!! Dm, G-C
Chorus
Kid: Dad I’m too sick for school today
But I don’t need medicine, okay?
Dad: Well don’t you want to feel well?
Kid: Yeah, but I can’t stand the smell!
That stuff stinks like old dead clams!
It’ll make me sicker than I am.
I’m not that sick Dad, I won’t die.
Dad: Then off to school you go! Good-bye!
Chorus
Aunt: Do you like monster movies, dear?
Kid: I don't like THIS one, he’s too weird!
Aunt: He’s just an actor, you know that!
Kid: I don’t care! His head’s all fat!
Aunt: He saves the little boy you know,
Kid: Who cares?! I'm scared! C’mon, let’s go!
(screams) Aahh! There he is! I’m outta here!
Aunt: Come back!! It’s just a movie dear!
Chorus
Kid: But I don’t want to learn to swim.
Adult: C’mon, its fun! I’ll help you in!
Kid: Don’t push me in, I’ll drown! Aahh! (splash!)
Adult: That’s good! Now move your legs around
Kid: (blub-glubb!) HELP ME!!
Adult: You’re OK! This will save your life someday!
And swimming’s healthy too, y’know?
Hey, wait a minute, ... where’d you go?!
Chorus (with underwater bubbling)
Mom: C’mon it’s time to take your bath
Kid: But Mom I haven’t done my math!
Mom: Then why is television on?
Kid: It’s almost over, Mom, c’mon!
Mom: Your neck is filthy, let’s go! Move!
Kid: But I don’t see what this will prove,
I just get dirty every day,
So let’s save water, okay?
Mom: No!
Cho: Logical! Logical!
Why don’t you like it when I'm logical?
Never mind, don’t tell me why,
You’ll have a logical reply!
Peter: C’mon it’s time, pack up your things
Kids: Not yet! We want to stay and sing
We’re having fun here at the park.
Peter: But you can’t stay here after dark!
There’ll be no beds, no heat, no food
And bears might come, you might get chewed!
So think it over, you decide.
Come home with me, or freeze outside!
Cho: Logical, Logical!
Why do you have t’be so logical?!
Never mind, don't tell me why.
You’ll have a logical reply!
Written by Peter Alsop, © 1986, Moose School Music (BMI)
Having my children perform with me has been one of the great delights of my life. I know that as a parent I would often pull out my ‘logic’ to try to talk them into behaving ‘properly’, … in other words, …
“Stop acting like children, and act more like a grown-up!’
Illustration by Terri Asher
I now see the error of my ways. That’s not always the best advice for kids. In fact, I’ve spent a good part of my life teaching grown-ups how to act like children! When we focus on just using ‘logic’, without regard for ‘how’ others come to their conclusions, … there’s little hope that we will find a way to proceed together successfully.
People who are good at being logical are supported by our systems, and they tend to make more money than people who prefer to operate based on their feelings. Logic skills are valued over feeling skills. Our government and business institutions, our military, scientific, academic and even some of our family systems provide us with ample evidence that left-brain cognitive analytical occupations like lawyers, doctors, airline pilots, engineers and tech specialists get paid more for their work, than people who work in more right-brain intuitive caregiving occupations like artists, teachers, nurses, day-care, elder-care and mental health practitioners.
Even though intuitive folks use our logic too, and are just as intelligent and skillful as left-brain analytical folks, our pay is less because we work with human feelings, and emotions. We help children, grown-ups and elderly people negotiate the complex stew of different feelings and emotional flavors that we all face every day. We’re able to work effectively at this, because we have honed our ‘feeling’ skills.
I felt that I was great at using logic, but I noticed that logic by itself doesn’t communicate ideas as well as a blend of logic and feelings. So now I tell a story in a song and weave the logic into the storyline, and if people relate to the feelings, they remember the idea.
As we are called on to make difficult decisions, we remember the wisdom of indigenous tribal councils who carefully considered with their hearts, … and their minds how their actions would affect the lives of their seventh generation, … their grandchildren’s grandchildren.
When we use both logic and intuition, we find solutions that will impact not only humans, … but all the plants and animals living in our Earth’s environment. Our diverse experiences help us create more just and workable systems for the future. We can work out how to do things in more caring ways together, by honoring our different processes. All that’s required is the will to begin.