Limits of Rationalism?

Compared to the many other parts of India, rationalist movement took roots much earlier in Kerala. This development also intersected with leftist ideologies that emphasized social justice, equality, and scientific temper. This collaboration helped in gaining wider popular support for rationalist principles in the early 20th century.

However, the movement has undergone sharp ideological cleavage in last decade (as indeed, many nuclear families have!)

The group identified mainly with Dr C Viswanathan views irrational beliefs as something that afflicts all religions, as also some atheistic political ideologies. In contrast, the other group that idolizes Prof C Ravichandran seeks to target Islam in particular -- often supporting aspects of the Muslim-baiting agenda of the RSS -- such the UCC, opposition to Reservations, support for the criminalizing of "Triple Talaq", CAA and so on. A Left Vs Right split!

Mulling on the above scenario, I have had some insights that I wish to share here.

Rationalism is neither a political ideology nor an ethical world view. Those who identify themselves as rationalists are ultimately those who regard this as an effective method to solve problems that we encounter in life. 

Rationalists are people who get mental satisfaction taking on a rationalist stance, similar to the way many religious people get the same from their own beliefs (superstitious or otherwise). In other words, rationalism is a choice that some people can make, just as this or that religious belief can be the choice of others.

Yes, I do feel rationalism is a more effective life choice. I can bet that this is what most religious people feel about their own beliefs.

It is with the above realization that I support the "Leftist" stance that rationalists and people from various religions (including Islam, and Rightwing Rationalists and the Hindutva kind) must have the same political rights and social privileges as I have. Never mind that I regard my own choice as "better".

Another insight is that while most of the times, rationalism is the most effective method to achieve results, this is not always true. There are times when irrationalism is more effective and may even be even more ethical! Let me elaborate.

Limits of Rationalism

In most cases involving humans, it is more rational to resolve conflicts through negotiations and compromises. Almost always, this leads to win-win outcomes. But this is simply not true under all circumstances.

Let us consider a slave in 18th century America. Rational considerations would tell him or her that rebellion is suicidal, or worse. In this situation, rationalism is the selfish option, but not the ethical one, nor the socially preferable choice. 

Oppressive social structures like slavery can end and have ended to a great extent. This is possible only if there are sufficient people among the oppressed group who are prepared to make irrational choices -- like rebelling in the face of sure harm to self, and often to collective punishment for the group.

Cows could be domesticated only because their ancestors were not genetically predisposed to rebel. In contrast, Zebras tend to be more aggressive and unpredictable than horses or cows. They tend to react violently when pressured or frightened, which includes biting, and not letting go! Even when severely punished, these animals retain their rebelliousness. Early attempts to domesticate Zebras were abandoned precisely due to this "irrational" tendency!

The upshot -- rationalists need not be sanguine that rationalism is the "perfect" choice under all social conditions. It is not. Those with tendencies to make irrational choices too are required within society. The desirability of social diversity calls for toleration of some levels of irrationality within societies! 

The role that genetic diversity plays in biology would seem analogous to the role that attitudinal diversity plays in sociology. Here too there is an "Evolutionary Stable State" -- the optimal mix of people within society with different levels of rationality!