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Issue47:"Society does not place enough emphasis on the intellect—that is, on reasoning and other cognitive skills."
The speaker asserts that society should place more emphasis on intellect- that is, on reasoning and other cognitive skills. And I fundamentally agree with this claim, for the reason that such abilities play a very vital role in human life and the whole society. However, also, we should not underestimate the great power that emotions and feelings possess// the benefits of nurturing emotions and feelings. To establish a harmonious and healthy society, a balance should be kept well between intellect and emotion.
On the one hand, without a strong reasoning and other cognitive skills, just relying on emotions and feelings may probably result in certain deleterious consequences. In essence, reasoning and logical thinking stand for equity, fairness, justice, all of which are crucial for any democratic society. In absence of these, when individuals are confronted with the issues of drugs, abortion, sexual choice, corruption and so forth, what about their attitudes? Only reasonable logical thinking can have an appropriate answer; otherwise, individuals will get bogged down in these quagmires. And, merely judging from personal emotions and feelings, the defects of human nature, such as jealousy, hatred, greed, revenge, selfishness, and lust for power may control the body, deprave one’s psychology, and then lead to crimes which do great damage to the stability of society.
On the other hand, we should not overlook the cultivation of our sensitivity as well; emotions and feelings can help us to enjoy a better communication with others and contribute to a comprehensive cognition of the society. Since the society is a net in which there are complicated relationships among people, stubbornly sticking to reasoning, on the contrary, may inhibit individuals to communicate and result in an unharmonious society. Can any individual disregard the request from an old friend, though it is “profitless trade”? Should he abandon his wife and turn to another young lady, just because she is not so beautiful and of little value for his later life? Love, friendship, and loyalty can not be measured through intellect and human beings, unlike other animals, have plenty and complicated emotions and feelings toward others and the society.
In fact, in the human society, intellect and emotion mutually take effect and are both essential in building a peaceful, stable and harmonious society. Rational thinking just serves as the frame of a building, while the emotion serves as ornament. The former one provides the basis of the building, and therefore once damaged, the whole building would collapse. Also, without the latter one, the building is just a skeleton, lacking warmth, energy, vitality, and charm.
All in all, it is crucial to play sufficient emphasis on the intellect; after all, rationality is one of the most important qualities any individual must possess. However, anyone cannot abandon emotions and feelings; otherwise, we were just intelligent cold-blooded animals.
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