The Limits of Logic

(Borrowed story)

I do treasure my logic. It does help me fend off those who want to deceive me. It helps me see through their deceitful words and to their intentions. It protects me. It is a gift, and I appreciate it.

However, my logic also tells me that its ultimate goal cannot be reached in the limited time I have here on earth. I cannot discover all truths and the causes for every specific occurence even if I try all of my life. To have any hope of doing this, I would have to live forever.

There's also something else I'm quickly seeing. Logic cannot save the world. Even the most relentless attempt at impartial, unbiased logical examination will not be honored by a stranger. Most who do not agree at the beginning will never be convinced by a logical explanation alone. Though they see no escape from your logic, they will be convinced that you are trying to deceive them, using sly rhetorical skills to further your own purposes at their expense.

So, what are we to do with this logic? Its goal cannot be reached in our lifetimes. It cannot be used to bring about the changes required to make the world a better place.

We need to love others. This is not love in word but in action. We must show them that they can trust us. They must know we care about them. Only when we do this can we expect our logic to not fall on deaf ears. Love must be the constant companion of logic.

So, that's how we can save the world, but there's still something more. What about the ultimate goal of logic? To reach this goal, it seems I would have to live forever, but logic does not offer me this opportunity.

I have chosen to believe that God sent His son to the world to die for me so that I could live forever. Since I will live forever, I can continue to work on the ultimate goal of logic: the understanding of the truth and causes of everything. It seems that if I can somehow do that, I will have reached my potential and become perfect -- perfect in respect to what I am, a creation.