Are Your Actions Ruled by Reason?

[DISCLAIMER]

On September 10, 2025, the late United States (U.S.) right-wing conservative political activist, author, and media personality Charlie Kirk was murdered during one of his many speaking events. Advocating principles of free speech, Kirk arguably died as he lived. I respect that.

Before I proceed any further with this blogpost, allow me to express that I denounce legitimate acts of terrorism (the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological aims), as the Kirk murder, an act of cowardice, may very well represent this criminal qualifier.

Also, as expressed previously within my blog, I don’t agree with everything that anyone has to say. Kirk was no exception to this personal rule. Nevertheless, I venerate those who commit their lives to principled stances in protection of the First Amendment, which one source identifies as:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Also, with my approach to care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I invite people to consider thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason) – especially regarding events which correlate with irrational emotions.

Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. For instance, a modus ponens syllogism uses the following logical form: If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

As an example, one source states that “Florida educators have posted despicable comments on social media regarding the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk.” If Charlie Kirk supported free speech (p), then “despicable comments” about his death are acceptable (q).

Consequently, I argue that this proposition is both logical and reasonable (i.e., rational). I say this, because from observable appearances Kirk did in fact support the freedom of speech. Likewise, “despicable comments” are protected under the auspices of the First Amendment.

Even if – or perhaps especially when – one doesn’t like or agree with statements which speak ill of the dead, free speech remains a constitutionally-protected right of U.S. citizens. Yet, at least one member of the U.S. Congress doesn’t appear to understand this principle.

Amidst unflattering and even downright spiteful expressions of free speech regarding Kirk’s life and death, U.S. Representative (Rep.) Clay Higgins took to social media platform X and declared his apparent commitment to an anti-free speech stance. Higgins stated:

I’m going to use Congressional authority and every influence with big tech platforms to mandate immediate ban for life of every post or commenter that belittled the assassination of Charlie Kirk. If they ran their mouth with their smartass hatred celebrating the heinous murder of that beautiful young man who dedicated his whole life to delivering respectful conservative truth into the hearts of liberal enclave universities, armed only with a Bible and a microphone and a Constitution… those profiles must come down.

  So, I’m going to lean forward in this fight, demanding that big tech have zero tolerance for violent political hate content, the user to be banned from ALL PLATFORMS FOREVER. I’m also going after their business licenses and permitting, their businesses will be blacklisted aggressively, they should be kicked from every school, and their drivers  licenses should be revoked. I’m basically going to cancel with extreme prejudice these evil, sick animals who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

   I’m starting that today.

  That is all.

Photo credit, fair use

These sound like the unhinged utterings of an enraged individual whose actions aren’t ruled by reason. If one empirically must be proverbially sacrificed to zealotry which defies the First Amendment, allow me to self-nominate – much as Kirk volunteered his existence to free speech.

One whose emotional response to unfavorable beliefs about those who voice negative views about Kirk isn’t an individual who utilizes a stance on principle (a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption, such as a rule or code of conduct). That’s irrational!

If the First Amendment is subject to the whims of irrationality in this way, then what use is there for a supposed principled stance on free speech to begin with? Regarding this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled Nonpartisan Principle:

Although misattributed to French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, it was actually writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall – commenting on the perceived internal dialogue of Voltaire – who proposed, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” […]

Regarding this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled A Principled Stance on Free Speech:

Noteworthy, free speech is a negative right. This means it obliges inaction. In other words, in a state of nature, one is born with an inalienable right to free speech. Therefore, no one should, must, or ought to take this right from you.

In the example of the First Amendment, the principle of free speech is considered morally right. Thus, one who maintains this position may have an ethical code not to infringe the negative right.

A sitting member of congress cannot simply revoke or infringe the negative right of free speech, as the First Amendment forbids these sorts of actions which aren’t ruled by reason. When further contemplating this matter, I think of a book that I’ve been steadily reading.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The manner by which I approach a proposed infringement of free speech, as ostensibly expressed by Rep. Higgins, is through practice of Stoic principles. For instance, authors of The Daily Stoic quote ancient Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who stated (Page 106):

Hurry to your own ruling reason, to the reason of the Whole, and to your neighbor’s. To your own mind to make it just; to the mind of the Whole to remember your place in it; and to your neighbor’s mind to learn whether it’s ignorant or of sound knowledge—while recognizing it’s like yours.

I compare my ruling reason to the whole of the law, as the Constitution remains as the supreme law within the U.S. I further compare my ruling reason to that expressed by Rep. Higgins, who apparently maintains that he can violate constitutional edict. (He, in fact, cannot!)

Additionally, I compare my ruling reason to the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding within my own mind, as to ascertain whether or not my stance is rational. As well, I then compare my ruling reason with consideration of words from authors of The Daily Stoic who state (page 106):

If our lives are not ruled by reason, what are they ruled by? Impulse? Whim? Mimicry? Unthinking habit?

As we examine our past behavior, it’s sad how often we find this to be the case—that we were not acting consciously or deliberately but instead by forces we did not bother to evaluate. It also happens that these are the instances that we’re mostly likely to regret.

When comparing my own ruling reason, as advocated by Aurelius, I conclude that Rep. Higgins’s actions aren’t ruled by reason. Of course, I maintain no judgment of him as an individual for having made mistakes. After all, he’s merely a fallible human being.

To iterate this point, bear in mind that I stated in response to the social media post or Rep. Higgins, “These sound like the unhinged utterings of an enraged individual whose actions aren’t ruled by reason.” I referenced his “utterings” and “actions” as disputable, not him as a person.

This is perceivably the mistake, albeit a deadly one, of the one who pulled the trigger which resulted in the murder of Charlie Kirk. Moreover, this isn’t an error you or I have to make when thinking of Kirk, the person who murdered him, or people who’ve remarked about the event.

Equally, it isn’t as though we must believe rigidly about Rep. Higgins and those within positions of power, and who seemingly seek to deny us of our right to free speech. With little doubt, I’ll criticize their “utterings” and “actions” while withholding judgment of their personhood.

Of course, I’m asking you – are your actions ruled by reason? – while also understanding that comparing one’s own ruling reason to elements which are both inside of and outside of oneself is a big ask. The easier task is to side with tyrannical behavior: to emotionally oppress others.

Favorably, one source accurately states that “Higgins simply does not have the power to do some of the things he threatened.” May Rep. Higgins know no legitimate power over this matter, may he come to the rule of reason once his irrationality subsides, and may he learn from his mistakes.

Personally, Charlie Kirk didn’t deserve to be murdered for exercising his right to free speech. This is true regardless of what religion to which he subscribed, whether or not he had a wife and two children, and irrespective of the high esteem to which he was held by members of the Right.

Ultimately, he was a fallible human being who both lived and died in accordance with his principled position on free speech. In my view, his memory doesn’t require sanctification. Rather, there’s an important psychoeducational lesson to be learned from his tragedy.

The rest of the nation, even those who disagree with Kirk’s controversial positions, could learn about how his actions were ruled by reason regarding free speech. While I may’ve disapproved of what Kirk said at times, I will still defend to the death his (and your) right to have said it.

Ergo, advocacy for logic and reason is understood to come with a price. As stated by the late el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, “The price of freedom is death.” May you live free, with your actions ruled by reason, and know nothing of oppression resulting from tyranny. One.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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