Limits of Logic

[Xzengrim]

Here's a question: Is there such a thing as being TOO logical? How about too curious? Should we reach a point at which we are satisfied about our knowledge with the world?

I ask this becauase lately, people tell me that I'm too curious and too logical. I suspect that this is because lately, I've been taking a lot of stuff apart. A couple of weeks ago, I took an automatic stapler apart at work to see how it worked, then later it was a mechanized can opener, followed by a cd player, followed by one of those motorized pink pigs that they have outside KB Toys sometimes. Today, I cracked open the remote control and rewired the circuits so that I could control the volume with the channel buttons and the channels with the volume buttons. I also wonder what my own skull looks like, and what the insides of creatures look like, and how they work. I'm constantly asking questions about how the city power grid works, how buildings are made, how bones work, and how traffic lights work. I stop to investigate or stare at these things as I walk down the street. Other people inform me that they NEVER wonder how this stuff operates, which I find hard to believe.

Then again, because of logic I can't believe in a higher power, which pisses them off most royal. Is it wrong not to see natural beauty in the world, but to understand how a motorized pink pig works?

[LV426]

That's why there is the internet, so I can find the answers to my questions.

[Digital Knight]

Basically, what you are describing, is more curiousity than logic. Logical people are the type of people that do not believe in anything that is not backed by -solid- proof, such as the existance of a soul, werewolves, or aliens. A curious person is the type of person who tends to take things apart just to see how they work. The curious person is the inventive person.

Many thought Benjamin Franklin was a fool, or eccentric, or even crazy, for wanting to learn how lightning (electricity) worked. As a result of this, (The blending of curiousity and logic) we have electricity. However, had he been totally logical about the situation, he would not of tested his theories of lightning, as his own theorys would not be based on solid fact.

A great scientist knows when to put logic aside, and charge forward with curiousity. However, a too curious person would engage in very illogical actions (Such as testing whether your eye explodes or deflates when you stab it). Thus, in order to truely obtain worthwhile information about the world surrounding us, one must maintain a balance between being logical and curious.


Also keep in mind that there is much in nature that is just as complex, or even more complex, than man-made objects. Franklin realized this, when he studied lightning. While you can learn how man-made objects function by reading a manual, nature lacks a manual. True, by experimenting with man-made objects, you might stumble upon something new, or be smote with a grain of genius, but the same could occur studying nature, as it is every bit as complex.

Take, for example, the way some plants work. There are plants that drive insects away with their smells, others that poison them, and others that have a symbiotic bond with insects. In studying said plants, you might stumble upon a way to, artifically, create a chemical to drive insects away from a household, or even work as some type of anti-toxin.

Knowledge is boundless, both in man-made technologies, and in nature. It is doubtful we will ever discover everything there is, for their are many paths along the way, and they branch onward, twining together, then sliding apart, onward into an unknown horizon. To restrict yourself to just man-made or natural science, is like pacing a single path over and over. Instead, try to experience both.

While the roads might twist and wind in directions that may seem new and strange, you will eventually find yourself back on your own path, but now with the added experiences and knowledge from your travels. Your path just might be a bit clearer, and perhaps easier to travel. Only in traveling all the paths can you find the right one for yourself, for, by experiencing all that you possibly can, you continue to learn things that can be applied to many places in your life, even some places you wouldn't expect.

[WhiteCrowUK]

The problem is X, true curiousity doesnt end at man made toys.

I took a degree in physics and astronomy because I wanted to learn more about how things (mainly in nature) work - from stars and planets, to atoms, photons etc.

And oddly it is that feeling of design in nature which gives me a feeling there is a higher power of some form ...

[Hellcat]

Xzengrim, if its skulls you want to see, go take a look at my home page (link available on members list). The sad thing is, you'll never get to see your own skull (except maybe an xray of it). There's nothing wrong with taking things apart, providing you take the time to learn how to put it back together again (it saves getting yelled at by your parents if you can do the latter) I'm wondering what took you so long, my 5 year old boy started that trick ages ago. Sometimes being told how it works isn't good enough, you've got to see it withyour own eyes- proof if you like. Hence you take things to pieces. I do it with dead animals :D

[WhiteCrowUK]

Hellcat - what on earth is it with you and skulls anyway? Do you drink beer from them or what??? ;)

This is me being curious now!

[Hellcat]

Hellcat - what on earth is it with you and skulls anyway? Do you drink beer from them or what??? ;)

This is me being curious now!

Now there's something i have yet to try :D

[DarkHunter]

You like to know things, nothing wrong with that. Having interest in the mechanics of the world around is kind of a good quality.

I don't blame you for not believing in a higher power. I think I'm gonna hang up religion for awhile.

[Klark]

If there is an end to my curiousity, it'll be death, then again, that might not even stop me from asking questions. I don't believe you can ask too many questions, especially if you find people willing to answer them.