Typically in science, humans are considered animals that possess the character trait of reason. Many of the philosophers base their assumptions on rational human agents; therefore, how do we know when we are rational? When looking at the literary example Lord of the Flies by William Golding, it is evident that when displaced from society, children behave based off of their animal instincts. In the United States, the concept of “under 18” plays a drastic role in determining whether or not an individual can make a legal decision. This magic number almost automatically assumes that as we are older, wisdom is achieved; therefore, we can be called rational agents and ultimately be held accountable towards the law. However, when looking at the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the author depicts that the human nature of even the best of citizens has the ability to transform into irrationality when placed into the wilderness with no authority. Therefore, is a universal law an attempt to create rational agents?
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Rights dictates that all individuals are granted the right to elementary education. Does education create rationality? If we did not have a set language that is learned by all individuals, we would not be able to communicate and be considered rational. On another note, in elementary school, a basic component of the education (correct me if you disagree) is to learn how to interact with other children. Before a five year old is placed into school, he/she has never been forced to cooperate with other individuals. This teaches the concept of sharing in a give and take relationship. Through learning positive and negative behavior, we learn how to live peaceably with other individuals. Without learning these set standards, would humans just be animals without order? We are attempting for perfection within our society; however, at times it feels as though, as humans, we are striving to succeed in being “the survival of the fittest.” It has taken thousands of years for humans to reach the basis of our knowledge and accepted norms. Is rationality an attempt to create order within a world that is bound with disorder? In science, entropy is the tendency for matter to naturally become messy with disorder. It requires work to organize; therefore, does rationality require work?
I think rationality is something that comes with age and simple experience living. I don't think it necessarily has to do with learning as we do in school.
ReplyDeleteI think it is true that learning as we do by living and maybe just being in society is important for acting rationality. In the case of Lord of the Flies, the young boys have lived enough to the point where they're somewhat rational, but because they're separated from society, they forget what they know and start behaving like animals. This makes it seem like rationality related to how we treat others is something that is learned not just when we're young, but over our entire lives. If one is separated from society, one might forget.
Maybe this is just me being picky, but I feel like using fictional examples as support for the irrationality of humankind does not hold any ground.
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I have to say I agree more with what Dr. J said in class: we are born innately rational. Rationality is not a trait you can learn. We go to school to become knowledgeable, educated. Children do learn languages and how to cooperate/interact before they are placed into school. Education does not create rationality, but it is a means to promote learning and success in individuals.