Reasoning

The mind is a model and showpiece for efficiency of thought, whether or not these thoughts lead to contradictory consequences or facts they all begin in the imagination. What I mean by this is simply; the act of inquiring is the first step in becoming knowledgeable. Knowledge is power, and in this journey for knowledge we all begin with our own thoughts. With those thoughts we spark an interest in what we choose to learn and how we learn it. Through reason we begin this quest and in the mist of learning we find out if our foundation is true or not.

Reason is the power to think logically and rationally while attempting to draw conclusions. It is also the means in which logic is applied to reality. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of its authenticity. To be a validated reason it needs a basis that starts in fact and can be proven. The foundation of reason still starts in our imagination because without labels that are thought up or prior ideas that are speculative to draw from, we have no definitive starting point. Reasoning is the act of persuading someone with ideas from a conclusion. It would take a variety of abilities such as intuition, imagination, understanding, and some good sound judgment to reach the goal of mutual understanding.

Logic is the basis of knowledge and to create that logic would need imaginative ideas to initiate understanding. Franklin illustrates that the quest for knowledge starts at a creative point. “So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do” (172). This quote means that it is quite handy to be able to make up reasons for everything around us so as to give it purpose. I agree with Franklin that the unknown becomes known by simply speculating about how it works, or why it exists in the first place. In order to unearth the truth one must visualize the reasons in the mind's eye to create a logical understanding of the unknown. Rosaldo shares in Franklin’s perspective of how the imagination leads to reason.

According to Rosaldo imagination is not fact, for example just because a picture inspires sadness does not prove that the painter was sad when he created the piece. Rosaldo stated, “In my view, no mode of composition is neutral medium and none should be granted exclusive rights to scientifically legitimate social description” (49). This quote means no work of art of any sort should be a scientifically justified means to portray raw experiences. I am of the same mind in this statement.