Tim Rhodes wrote:
> This is a line of reasoning that is shaky at best, but I'll offer it
> anyway:
>
> Is it possible that the ability to /choose/ to go outside of reason
> (notable in humans) is an adaptive trait?
Adaptave to what?
What possible evolutionary purpose could going *outside* of reason have?
(snip)
Ken McE comments:
I would suggest that abandoning reason (sometimes) is quite
reasonable. Nature has given every different kind of animal its own
specialty. Some get horns, some fangs, we got reason. Reason is a
tool that we use to survive and pursue our goals. It is not somehow
good or sacred in and of itself.
People can "reason" themselves into all kinds of odd and non viable
position. Instincts cannot be lied to. They do not fool around. The
thing about instincts is that they are there because they work. People
may abandon reason and fall back on instincts when under stress, and I
would suggest that this is a good thing, an effective way of going
beyond the feeble limits of reason.
-- “Just blame it all on those pesky memes.” - W. L. Benzon