Not-Logical Thinking

What is Not-Logical thinking? The very notion seems ridiculous. How could thinking that is not Logical have any significance, relevance, or value? Come to think of it - How could thinking that is not Logical even be considered as a viable "type" of thinking at all? Logical thinking is the only kind of thinking that makes sense.

If you find yourself in complete agreement with the sentiments expressed above then…

Welcome to a New World of Endless Possibility!

This article will introduce Not-Logical thinking as a distinct style of thinking that is every bit as relevant, useful, and valuable, as Logical thinking. The irrefutable fact is that Not-Logical thinking is capable of producing spectacular results in situations were Logical thinking is hopelessly inadequate.

What is Not-Logic?

Not-Logic is the alter-ego of Logic. Logic owes its very existence to Not-Logic, for how could something be judged as Logical if there were not the Not-Logical to judge against? One could think of Logic in terms of a strainer we pour buckets of raw information through to filter out all the Logical goodness while leaving the worthless Not-Logical waste to swirl down the drain - forever out of sight and out of mind.

Not-Logic challenges this metaphor to reveal a greater truth. Information sifted through the filter of Logic is only good for its intended purpose. The remaining Not-Logical information, rather than being waste that should be discarded, is actually a precious substance that can be endlessly recycled into many different forms and serve a vast multitude of purposes.

The Rudiments of Logic and Not-Logic

The fundamental function of the brain is its ability to associate thoughts and recognize associations that are meaningful and significant. This primal ability represents the raw potential for thinking we are all born with.

Logic is a method of associating thoughts in accordance with a strict criteria, a firm set of rules that can never be violated under any circumstances. The rules of Logic define the criteria of verifying proof. Any connection between associations that does not conform to the rules cannot be considered a Logical connection. Statements of Logic are comprised of a sequence of associations with a beginning, an end, and a number of steps in between. Every step in a sequence is subject to the burden proof to justify that it follows the rules

Logic is a perfect system due to its ability to verify the truth of a statement from inception to conclusion.

Not-Logical thinking is a stark contradiction to Logical thinking in that there is absolutely no criteria by which to judge or justify associations. Not-Logic is the ultimate expression of freedom from any constraints of thinking.

In a sense Not-Logic is the skill of Not-Thinking at all. That is to say Not-Logic is the release from any deliberate control over our thinking. Logical thinking is a process by which we actively direct the work of our conscious mind. Not-Logical thinking is a process of passive observation over the inner workings of our subconscious mind.

It is important to understand that Not-Logical thinking is not a deep meditation as might be engaged by a devout Buddhist monk in the practice of Zen. Not-Logical thinking is a state of mind we pass through many times throughout the course of every day without ever realizing its significance. Those brief moments of emptiness, the space between transitions of one train of thought to another, or the moments that spawn a daydream.

Deliberate use of Not-Logic spawns daydreams with a purpose. A mind left briefly unattended does not just stop thinking. The mind is actually capable of thinking on its own accord without conscious direction.

Remnants of Youth

Not-Logic is too often perceived as something we have grown out of and left far behind, a remnant of innocent youth when we lacked knowledge and life experience. We regard ourselves as matured beyond these childish musings and now live in a realm of sober certitude. As our minds develop through the formative years we tend to focus more on acquiring knowledge and gradually loose perception of the value of Not-Logic. The ability becomes a lost art that gradually deteriorates from a lack of deliberate use.

Deliberate use of Not-Logic revives the brain with exercise in this long forgotten skill and you will rediscover the incredible power that results from the freedom of structured thought.

The Value of Not-Logic

The value of Logic is in its ability to analyze and prove information is correct. The value of Not-Logic is in its ability to generate new ideas which is something that Logic alone can never accomplish.

The notion that Not-Logic can always be proven wrong only holds true when Logic itself is the measure of judgment. Logic is proven correct by the steps taken to reach a conclusion. Not-Logic is proven correct purely by the results it produces. The steps taken to achieve the result are completely irrelevant. Logic can always be later utilized to prove the correctness of a Not-Logically derived conclusion. Once Logic has discerned a series of steps that reach the same conclusion there is no way to tell if a new idea was discovered Logically or Not-Logically.

Logic vs Not-Logic

The following chart illustrates the essential differences between Logic and Not-Logic.

Logic

Is a Process of Reasoning.

Based on Judgment.

Focused on Proof.

Is Bound by a Rigid Set of Rules.

Follows a Direction.

Ends in a Conclusion.

Follows Existing Patterns.

Is Used to Develop Existing Ideas.

Not-Logic

Is a Process of Imagination.

Based on Movement.

Focused on Exploration.

Is Completely Free of Any Rules.

Creates New Directions.

Never Ends. There is No Conclusion.

Seeks to Discover New Patterns.

Is Used to Generate New Ideas.

The Relevance of Not-Logic

Logic is always relevant and always makes perfect sense. It would naturally follow that Not-Logic must always be Not-Relevant and always makes Not-Sense. But how can something irrelevant and senseless be useful, valuable, or have any significant meaning, why even consider it?

Promptoria does not present Not-Logical thinking as a "better" way of thinking. Both modes of thinking are equally useful and relevant and must be used together to achieve optimal results. There is no conflict between Logic and Not-Logic, they are complimentary. They work and play together in a synergistic relationship like a continuous game of Leap-Frog. Not-Logic takes wild leaps into the unknown to explore for something new. When a discovery is made, Logic trails behind to discern the steps of a Logical path that reaches the same destination. Notice that Not-Logic always comes first, Not-Logic always leads the way.

Our educational systems would have us believe that Not-Logic dwells in the dark underworld of chaos, ignorance, and confusion - were Logic is the light of truth, intelligence, and the perfect symetry of orderly organized bliss.

In reality Not-Logic as that which takes fearless majestic leaps into the unknown darkness and then shines its own light as a beacon for Logic to find its sure but clumsy way to follow. Logic can literally take years to complete a journey Not-Logic can travel in a fraction of a second at the speed of thought. Even in the journey of a thousand miles Logic can explain and justify every single step in the most painstaking detail. There is no question of the value in the Logical approach to understanding a journey, yet the destination is still the same.

The Rise of Logic

Logic would not exist if it were not for Not-Logic. In fact, how's this for a paradox - Logic itself was created from Not-Logic. Not-Logic is the elemental thinking ability we are all born with, the natural organic expression of our being, a wondrous gift that to date has defied concise explanation.

Logic is an artificial man-made system. Like the Frankenstein's monster of thinking, Logic was created by sewing together select aspects of Not-Logic to create a new entity with a life of its own, conceived, constructed, and breathed into being no doubt by the most devious of Not-Logical minds. And true to the monster's form - Logic, once aware of its own existence, has sought domination and turned on its Not-Logical creator with vengeance. Logic has since devoted itself to wreaking havoc in the cranial universe, sowing its Logical seed and determined to obliterate any Not-Logic that dares to stand in its way.

Logic would never have the opportunity to answer a question if it were not for Not-Logic's ability of raising questions.

Not-Logic is strictly concerned with movement from one idea to the next deliberately exploring purely for the sake of discovering of something new. Not-Logic never stops to consider whether an idea is right or wrong, it is strictly concerned with where it might lead. An idea, which seams wrong, may still lead somewhere very useful.

Consider the statement 1 + 1 = 3

The above statement is completely illogical. The mind immediately recognizes it as false because it does not fit the Logic of mathematics. It is therefore judged as irrelevant and summarily rejected. Once an idea is rejected Logic breaks down, there is no Logical way to proceed. Although this statement makes no sense Logically it makes perfect sense Not-Logically.

Proving the Relevance of Not-Logic

Exercise - Find the Not-Logical relevance of the following statements.

1 + 1 = Dancing

1 + 1 = Sight

1 + 1 = Bicycle

1 + 1 = Flight

1 + 1 = Ostrich

1 + 1 = Book

Potential answers are:

1 foot + 1 foot = Dancing

1 eye + 1 eye = Sight

1 wheel + 1 wheel = Bicycle

1 wing + 1 wing = Flight

1 leg + 1 leg = Ostrich

1 cover + 1 cover = Book

The above exercise is meant to illustrate the fundamental difference between Logic and Not-Logic. Logic dictates that 1 + 1 will always equal 2, no other conclusion is possible. Not-Logic dictates that 1 + 1 has the potential to equal absolutely anything. Not-Logic can find meaning where Logic finds none. Not-Logic can take steps in new and potentially valuable directions were Logic can only shrug its shoulders in despair.

Successfully generating new ideas with Not-Logic depends on your ability to temporarily suspend the urge to apply the judgment of Logic and maintain deliberate focus on bold exploration with Not-Logic.

You Had It All Along

For all its mystery and intrigue Not-Logical thinking is a very simple, well defined method that you will understand and begin to utilize with practice. Not-Logical thinking is not something new to learn, it is something that must be remembered. Most people are surprised to discover that they had the ability all along. They were simply never informed of its existence, never shown its incredible value, never properly trained in its use, and never had the advantage of the powerful tools available to learn how to use it effectively.