Communication Basics: Pondeing the Emotions of What and the Logic of Which

I have an idea that is worth pondering and might later be worthy of acceptance rather than rejection.  The idea is that the emotions of the nervous system may deal more with the question of what and the logical part of the nervous system with the question of which.  The emotions may be more connected with "know" and the logic with "discern".   As an example, there is a Bible passage in Isaiah, where it refers to "before he knew to discern".

Here is another example of what I mean.  Emotions like fear or confidence don't seem to distinguish between how and why questions. But logically these distinctions are important in the course of action.  Could it be that the emotions simply indicate whether we appear strong or weak?  If strong, then we feel confidence.  If weak, we feel fear.  Could it be that the logical aspect then looks more at the issue of opportunity or threat?

If these hints are on the right course, then it could be that the emotions and logic deal with both parts of a SWOT analysis, and also in the same order chronologically.  Strengths and weaknesses would be the concern of our emotional assessment and opportunities or threats would be the concern of our logical assessment.

So it may be worth pondering, whether in fact emotions do address more the question of what: strong or weak.   It also may be worth pondering whether logic does address more the question of which: opportunity or threat.  In the end, we'll find out one way or the other if these ideas are the strong and courageous or of a weak and shrinking kind.  Happy pondering.


Sincerely,

Jon

Communication Basics: The Ability to Ponder not just Accept or Reject as Shameful

I wish I could recall the quote from Aristotle in full.  The basic gist was that the ability to wonder or ponder about something rather than to accept or reject as shameful is a virtue.

I recall here the story of Joseph in Genesis in which Joseph's brothers reject his dream and its interpretation as foolish, but Jacob his father pondered these things in her heart.  I believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, also pondered some of the things said about her son.  In both cases, neither parent immediately accepted or rejected what was said about the future.  Rather they pondered them so that later they could either accept or reject what was said.  In both cases, these parents both accepted what was said in the end.

So when someone communicates with you, don't think you must reject something just because right at that moment you cannot accept it. You have another option.  You can instead ponder over what you cannot immediately accept.  So ponder away when acceptance or rejection is premature.  Are you now pondering what I have said?


Sincerely,

Jon