Marion Craig Memorial Essay Contest
Winning Entry

Rational thought is reasoned thought. Reasoned thought is logical thought. And logical thought has the ability to draw conclusions based on knowledge. This knowledge comes from science and art, or simply culture. Culture and history show the problems of the past, and perhaps a solution. The solution comes through weighing the options, thinking of the consequences, and coming to the conclusion that is the best for the individual. Thus, rational thought promotes the common good for the individual, by making changes in government and society for their benefit.

Socrates and Aristotle's ancient philosophies influenced much of the western world as well as the modem world today. Aristotle believed that no one could be happy without fulfilling his or her "function." He called humans the "rational animal," and since humans' ultimate goal is to be happy, they must live a life governed by reason in order to be happy. In order for behavior to be considered "governed by reason", it has to be moral and be for the common people's good. Socrates' ultimate goal was to show human's how to think and act with reason so they can be happy by acting morally and ethically correct.

Conscientiously, or rationally, a human cannot be happy when seeing other humans suffer. There are some who would not recognize their suffering as suffering, or possibly recognize them even as human beings. Biologically, humans are genetically similar, no matter what their race. Across races, humans are certainly more genetically similar to each other than to apes. Thus, the rational human recognizes those suffering as fellow humans, has pity on them, and feels humans owe it to each other to treat one another as equals. This is a fundamental principle of rational thought.

In order to treat each other as equals, as rational thought leads to, the government must treat them as equals, and allow everyone a part in government. This is something that the Founding Fathers understood very well. They gave the people new rights they never had before under other governments. They could vote, bear arms, have the right of free speech, etc. Thomas Jefferson originally wished to allow the African Americans to vote, but because of "non"-rational thinkers who did not understand the fundamental principle formerly mentioned, they took that portion out of the Declaration of Independence. Because of more recent rational thinkers, women, all races, can now vote.

In the Age of Reason, also called the "Age of Rationalism", books such as Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre de Laclos, Philosophy in the Bedroom by Marquis de Sade, and Sketch for a Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind by Condorcet, stressed how life could be changed, and how the common or accepted belief mayor may not be correct. These books encouraged skepticism, and questioning. In some novels during this time, it provokes the rational thinking individual to separate from the common beliefs of the culture.

Rational thinking involves making one's own opinions, not conforming to others. One needs to find what is right for one's self. By doing this, people can come up with new ideas to make society better. They can come up with a solution to help the individual have more rights. Once a good, accurate, well-thought out idea is found, there is a major responsibility to let others know about it. An idea does no good in the world if it is never heard. Columbus would not have discovered America, the Methodist, Baptist, Protestant, and Puritan churches would not have been established, the American Revolution would not have happened, if important, influential people had not spoken out, none of these major events would have taken place.

Rational Thinking includes considering the consequences beforehand, and trying to make life better for the individual. Philosophers and politicians have studied history and used rational thinking for centuries. History, art and science can teach principles and theories, which are critical in order to have good, rational thought. In order to make the world better, people with rational thought must speak out and have influence. They have before, they can again.

--Megan Smith

Ms. Smith accepting her check from Marion Craig Essay Contest Committee Chairperson Flo Wineriter and Chapter President Bob Lane