Emotional Vs Logical Reasoning

Question: Which one is more conducive when it comes to making life decisions? Answer: Emotional Reasoning People are emotional beings. Given this simple fact without pondering any further, the implication is that decisions made on emotional grounds create a better balance in our lives since we are feeding our feelings, without negating too far from our hearts desires (Gaudine and Thorne, 2001). Focusing on the example of a mother who decides to steal to feed her hungry children, logical thinking would probably lead this woman to find better ways, given the pros and cons of her actions. In this case, emotions play a significant role in leading her to the decision of committing a crime, as logic would see it. On the other hand, emotional reasoning tends to be too impulsive. It is those decisions that are made in the snap of a finger, especially in the case of danger of a loved one or self. Emotional presentations move the masses to action. Words that have deeply analyzed by ones own heart and presented in this way, lead proposals to acceptance and leaders to big seats. According to Gaudine and Thorne (2001), leaders that make most of their decisions based on emotional are grounds are often re-elected in democratic regimes. When the emotions of the masses are stirred, even decisions made will be profoundly affected by ones emotions, in the subconscious pursuit of contentment (Zeelenberg et al., 2008). Compassion and goodness encompass emotional reasoning. Given this, emotional thinkers are often carried in high esteem, as most of their decisions are compassionate and generous, only leading to good effect. Most emotional thinkers listen to their hearts and follow accordingly. Given that one is content with their decisions and bears no regrets even chances of disease and illness are reduced, leading to a stress-free life (Zeelenberg et al., 2008). However, this depends on the decision made. Finally, According to Damasios theory of the somatic-marker, defined bodily states may frequently occur in the experience of certain feelings or sight of individual objects (Becharra et al., 2001). For example, a ring from a loved one would consequently cause a sense of joy, warmth, and nostalgia to the owner. It is impossible to escape feelings and emotions as they are attached to everything we see and possess. In the light of this, emotional thinking is compatible with the situation and would result in better rational life choices. In the essay by Sweitzer et al. (2008), different individuals have different emotions and therefore different impulses when it comes to decision making. It is these feelings and sentiments that form the underlying factor after which logically comes in. Because we are emotional beings and based on the arguments above, emotional decision making is more conducive to making lifes decisions. Logical Reasoning When logic is incorporated into decision making, with the complete elimination of sentiments, an individual has a perfect and conducive model for making good lifes decisions. Consistent use of logic is even better, as a person stands a better chance of having no regrets at all even in the face of failure. Rational methods are used in logical thinking, where each viable option is critically weighed and analyzed. According to Anderson (2003), logical thinking is what builds people and nations by showing them the consequences of decision avoidance due to emotions. He further explains that we can live a healthy and full life if we are not slaves to our emotions. First, logic allows an individual to reflect on the values and beliefs pertaining the decision to be made. As such, it is because logic is typically armed with facts that can only be disputed by emotions within the person, of course, due to inherent bias (Hastie and Dawes, 2010). According to Phat (2007), logical thinking that is consistent and dependable always picks the best option available in the given decision situation. There are certain areas where emotional thinking would not, in any way supersede logical thinking; instead, it would just degrade the type of decisions made, as most of these decisions involve many different people. If a court magistrate were to make her decisions with emotional thinking, much bias would be included in the act. For one, no one would understand why the judge made a particular decision, giving the reason that it felt right. For one to make a decision with the feeling of it feels right, this person must be psychic, over confident and unwise. This is where logical thinking provides credibility to a decision, given the statistics, the testimonies, examples and case studies. In school, a student who thinks logically has a creative edge over the rest of his comrades and a better chance at succeeding by conquering more opportunities. Imagine that logic is the laying block for emotion. While using logic, individuals are easily persuaded into submission within their minds. However, within these same individuals, lies emotions attached to almost every smell, color, person, object, circumstance or even sight. Given that the mind lies in the individuals body, so does the heart, and both have powerful influences over the person, finding a balance between rational thinking and emotional thinking is probably the most conducive way of making lifes decisions. References Anderson, C. J. (2003). The psychology of doing nothing: forms of decision avoidance result from reason and emotion. Psychological Bulletin, 129(1), 139. Bazerman, M. H., Moore, D. A. (2008). Judgment in managerial decision making. Bechara, A., Damasio, H., Damasio, A. R. (2000). Emotion, decision making, and the orbitofrontal cortex. Cerebral Cortex, 10(3), 295-307. Gaudine, A., Thorne, L. (2001). Emotion and ethical decision-making in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 31(2), 175-187. Hastie, R., Dawes, R. M. (2010). Rational choice in an uncertain world: The psychology of judgment and decision-making. Sage. Pham, M. T. (2007). Emotion and rationality: A critical review and interpretation of empirical evidence. Review of general psychology, 11(2), 155. Sinclair, M., Ashkanasy, N. M. (2005). Intuition: myth or a decision-making tool? Management Learning, 36(3), 353-370. Sweitzer, M. M., Allen, P. A., Kaut, K. P. (2008). Relation of individual differences in impulsivity to nonclinical emotional decision making. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 14(05), 878-882. Zeelenberg, M., Nelissen, R. M., Breugelmans, S. M., Pieters, R. (2008). On emotion specificity in decision making: Why feeling is for doing. 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