Can we create a fully rational society?

[cleanhippie]

We often see the Greece of Antiquity presented as the pillar of rational thought, but philosopher Bertrand Russell reminds in his magnificent 'History of Western Philosophy' that Greece was also home of many important quite irrational cults and mysteries. Rational thought had to fight for breathing space with the believers of supernatural and mystical even in Greece. This fight for supremacy between the rational side and the mystical side of human nature has of course being going on in all societies at all times, but the big thing was that in Greece rational though at last had the upper hand at times or at least it was well respected and allowed to flourish.

When Christianity took over in Europe, the mystical and supernatural got a definite upper hand. The big difference was that Christianity did not respect the rational side of humans and the rational way of thinking was largely suppressed for a long time. Of course, there were thinkers who tried to make Christianity more rational, as the more rationally inclined people did not disappear even during the heyday of Christianity in the medieval times. They just had to adjust themselves, but they also tried to change Christianity to suit also their own needs, for which it was sorely ill equipped.

However, as the mystical side of humanity had a clear and unchallenged supremacy in the early medieval times, the majority of the naturally more rationally inclined part of the population just had to bide their time. The new resurgence of rationality was, however, luckily not far away, as Renaissance and most of all the Age of Enlightenment were just signs of the return of rationality to societies. In the end rationality got the upper hand again in Western Europe. The modern western nations can well now be described as societies that are based on the central ideas of rationality

--snip--

All this does not mean that I would not think that rational, secular humanism is the best medicine formany of the biggest ills of humanity. I just think that the irrational, mystical side of humanity needs to be allowed to be find expressions also, if we want to stable societies. I'm saying that even though I do think that rational humanism is the overwhelmingly superior answer; but I think it can never be the only or absolute truth. If I would ever make a claim like that, I would not be any better than those who believe in the 'absolute truths' so eagerly still offered by the religions.

http://beinghuman.blogs.fi/2010/07/25/is-rational-humanism-the-only-possible-answer-to-the-ills-of-humanity-9037446/

[skepticscott]

1. Of human beings?

In a word, no. The best that can ever be hoped for is a society where rationality and not irrationality guides public policy, and even that has proven difficult.

[Speck Tater]

2. Humans are capabale of rationality, but those who actually are rational are rare.

And since irrationality dominates the species a rational society is highly unlikely.

[Warpy]

3. No, most people are going to want to take the easy way out

and rely on the type of superstition they got from rote learning (see: gamblers with "systems") and who lack the basic curiosity to wonder why things are the way they are and would rather end any speculative conversation with some form of "god did it."

While most of us are perfectly rational in technical situations (If I push it here, it will go there), once things get even slightly theoretical or abstract, the irrationality kicks in because it seems easier that way.

The best we can do is try to spot the more rational types and put them into office. It would help if more people knew what horrors occur when the irrational are in charge, but we've been spoiled and don't remember them.

So no, rational societies are a dream as much as workers paradises and Objectivist Utopiae are. They all rely on the perfection of the human species in one direction or another.

[Odin2005]

4. The notion that the Greeks were so supremely rational is pseudo-historical mythology.

The vast majority of Greeks and Romans were always superstitious and close-minded. Even well-educated and intelligent Greeks and Romans could be stunningly superstitious, believing in omens and augury, hermeticism and astrology.

Humans are inherently irrational, we think heuristically, not logically. Reason and Logic must be learned and then can only supplement and augment our basic irrational thinking to a greater or lesser degree. Even the decision respect reason and logic is itself an irrational value judgement.

[rug]

5. Given what's transpired in the 15 months since he wrote that, no.

Besides, rationality is only a part of humanity, as well as its institutions.

You'll just have to wait until Vulcan is discovered.

[NMMNG]

6. No

Not in the foreseeable future, anyway.