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Conclusions in Search of Rationale

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • 2 days ago
  • 6 min read

 

When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason). This is an especially worthwhile consideration when practicing one of the main tools of REBT.

 

For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. This is known as self-disturbance.

 

In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people often use to upset themselves: global evaluations, low frustration tolerance, awfulizing, and demandingness. When contemplating these unproductive beliefs, think of the acronym GLAD.

 

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

 

Noteworthy, 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.

 

If other people disagree with my perspective (p), then other people are idiots (q). Other people disagree with my perspective (p). Therefore, other people are idiots (q).

 

This syllogistic belief follows logical form. However, I argue that it isn’t reasonable. Thus, I posit that the conclusion I’ve reached isn’t rational, because it assumes that whatever perspective I maintain is infallible and other people are idiots (foolish or stupid) for disagreeing with me.

 

In actuality, all people are merely fallible human beings who are incapable of retaining perfect knowledge. For the sake of discussion, suppose that I rigidly cling to my irrational conclusion (the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises).

 

Despite your disputation of my unaccommodating GLAD belief, I instead unproductively search for rationale (an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena) to support my conclusion. Using this self-disturbed behavior, I further fail to think rationally.

 

You say to me, “Are you aware that differences of opinion aren’t fundamentally indicative of idiocy?” I then reply, “Your disagreement with my perspective shows just how much of an idiot you are!” To this, you reply, “And what justification are you using to support that claim?”

 

This is situation is where my predetermined decision or outcome (i.e., conclusion) is made first, and then irrational justifications (i.e., rationale) are thereafter used to support it. I say, “Only an idiot couldn’t see things the way I do!” For illustration, let’s plug this into another syllogism:

 

Form (modus tollens) –

If p, then q; not q; therefore, not p.

 

Example –

If you’re not an idiot (p), then you’ll agree with my perspective (q). You don’t agree with my perspective (q). Therefore, you’re an idiot (p).

 

What would make this irrational conclusion valid (well-grounded or justifiable)? First, I would need to retain perfect knowledge. Yet, I’ve already established that fallible human beings aren’t capable of this experience.

 

Second, everyone else would essentially maintain invalid conclusions. This could be possible in the short-term, though the logic doesn’t follow that this outcome would always result. Thus, the occurrence would constitute little more than a momentary expression of truth on my part.

 

Finally, even if my perspective was temporarily factual and another individual’s assumption was incorrect, this wouldn’t mean that the other person was an idiot. Perhaps the other interlocutor was merely ignorant (showing lack of knowledge or intelligence) regarding the topic at hand.

 

I hope to have demonstrated how conclusions in search of rationale aren’t entirely helpful. In fact, they often aren’t even partially helpful! When doubling down on one’s own irrational thoughts or beliefs, ignoring healthy disputation, the one who looks like an idiot may be you!

 

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


 

References:

 

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2024, August 7). Awfulizing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/awfulizing

Hollings, D. (2025, June 4). Be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/be-content-to-appear-clueless-or-stupid-in-extraneous-matters

Hollings, D. (2024, March 19). Consequences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consequences

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