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Illogicality and Caveats

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • 5 hours ago
  • 6 min read

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Photo credit (edited), photo credit (edited), fair use

 

Imagine that I proposed “if I take a shower, then I’ll have toast.” What may you think about this proposition? Does one event (i.e., taking a shower) consequently lead to the next (i.e., having toast)? Although this may seem like a nonsensical matter of consideration, I suggest that it isn’t.

 

Of course, the imagined proposal of taking a shower being correlated with toast is nonsense (words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas). However, contemplation of the matter regarding how one arrives to conclusions isn’t nonsensical.

 

After all, the scripts we use matter. Ergo, when providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider beliefs which are rational (based in accordance with both logic and reason) rather than propositions which are irrational.

 

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, if I take a shower (p), then I’ll have toast (q). I take a shower (p). Therefore, I’ll have toast (q).

 

Bear in mind that the premises in an argument, proposition, or belief of this form will always lead to the conclusion (also known as consequentially following to a proposed end). This is the case even when the premises aren’t true.

 

Equally important, in order to be considered rational the argument, proposition, or belief empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. Given this context, does the syllogistic example I’ve used herein follow logical form?

 

Stated differently, does taking a shower necessarily result in a person having toast? Of course not! Therefore, the modus ponens syllogism I’ve proposed is illogical (not observing the principles of logic).

 

Although showering may be correlated with toast for some people, it isn’t the case for most or all people. For example, I could make a well-reasoned case (i.e., provide justification) for use of my imagined proposition. Suppose that after every morning shower I thereafter make toast.

 

In my unique situation, if I take a shower, then I’ll have toast. Nonetheless, are my circumstances applicable to you? Is it the case that after each shower that you take toast will soon follow your hygiene routine? Perhaps, perhaps not.

 

When providing basic lessons on rational thinking, I invite individuals to consider logic which is predictable to generalized outcomes. For instance, if I touch fire (p), then I’ll sustain a burn (q). I touch fire (p). Therefore, I’ll sustain a burn (q). Does this logical principle also apply to you?

 

Of course it does! Still, it isn’t uncommon for the clients with whom I work to sometimes use caveats (explanations which preferably should be remembered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing something). In such instances, I invite the product of their critical thinking skills.

 

“If I’m wearing flame-resistant gloves,” a client may propose, “then I won’t sustain a burn when touching fire.” Or, “if I make it a habit to eat premade toast while taking a shower,” a client may suggest, “then having toast while showering is possible.” Yes, these caveats are conceivable.

 

Still, when assessing the rationality of one’s arguments, propositions, or beliefs, I’m examining the matter of illogicality which the American Psychological Association defines as “a tendency to make unwarranted or faulty inferences, often characteristic of delusional thinking and speech.”

 

Caveats aside, in most cases, touching fire will cause one to sustain a burn. For context, causation is the act or agency which produces an effect. Given this understanding, fire tends to burn one’s hand.

 

Similarly, in general terms, taking a shower doesn’t necessarily correlate with having toast. Correlation is a relation existing between phenomena or things which tend to vary, be associated, or occur together in a way not expected on the basis of chance alone.

 

While you may have toast with your showers, it’s generally not the case that most or all other people do. Thus, your caveat may be unhelpful. Finally, if you can comprehend this brief lesson on illogicality, then you can begin to examine whether or not your beliefs are rational.

 

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:

 

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Illogicality. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/illogicality

Hollings, D. (2025, October 19). Adhering to invisible scripts. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/adhering-to-invisible-scripts

Hollings, D. (2025, September 24). Animalistic instinct: Just because it seems right doesn’t mean it is. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/animalistic-instinct-just-because-it-seems-right-doesn-t-mean-it-is

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

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