Humans are Above All Irrational Beings

One thing that makes humans think they are superior to other animals is their claim to reason. People always talk about the rationality of their actions. Those who are not able to work with reason are almost rejected by society. All the formal education we receive is geared towards making us more rational in our thinking and action. But, despite all these, there are many things that show how irrational the human species is.

Religions are irrational

The fact that there are religions in all cultures proves that there are some aspects of humans that are irrational. There are no solid proofs for those things like God, heaven, hell, and purgatory. But many people will die for these things. Even though they may try to rationalize them, religion is complete irrationality and to be religious is to accept that fact. This is not to say religion is bad, but the fact still remains that things about religion do not stand to reason. That is why Freud will say that all religious people are “mad”.

Wars

Another way humans show that they are irrational beings is when they kill each other in wars. You cannot understand why a man will kill his fellow for no reason. When one animal kills another one, it might be for its food. Hardly do irrational animals kill others for no reason. A satisfied lion does not kill an antelope just because it must kill. And animals hardly kill their own kind but humans are all the time killing their own kind. This does not show rationality.

Luxuries

When you consider the fact that two things perform the same function, and yet one is priced higher than the other because it is designated a luxury, then you can easily say that humans are not rational beings. There are many times people pay for certain commodities that even cause a lot of harm to them, yet still, they pay higher prices for them. For the cow, all grass is grass. There can never be a luxurious type because they all satisfy its hunger. But for humans, even the way food is served makes people think it is better.

Superstitions

The existence of many superstitions in all cultures is the greatest proof that people are irrational beings. Why should the number 13 be seen as evil, to the extent that buildings and aircraft seat are not numbered 13? Does that mean that jumping the number 13 eliminates a thirteenth house or seat? And things like this are found even in the developed world.

All the above are enough proof that when humans say they are rational, they deceive themselves. Sometimes they are. But most of the time they are irrational beings.