I find myself pondering here…
I’m about to enter an architecture program, which as a field lies in the convergence of art and science. I certainly value rationality, and I definitely consider myself rational at least most of the time…
But on the other hand I think my life would be much more drab without impulsiveness and blatant irrationality. So maybe I’m making the right choice?
I do think there is value in subjectivity in applied science, particularly when it comes to ethics. Knowing about a thing and how that thing relates to our existence is not necessarily neutral. I’m also not fully sold on Feynman’s belief that nature is ‘unaware’ of our observations of it- I don’t mean that in some supernatural sense, more that the book on consciousness and the types of consciousness other things might possess is very much still out.
I’d also add that in the trades, practical rationality is extremely important and likely a determinant in whether you are successful and advance in the field or not. While still true in the new construction world, this is particularly relevant when dealing with the built world, working on remodeling/retrofitting etc. There are situations you run across that aren’t in the manual, so to speak. The ability to respond, learn from those events, and apply that knowledge down the line is a rational exercise nearly every trade worker makes on a regular basis.
With all that said…
::prepares to be shredded by actual scientists::
