When all else fails I usually go for logic and reason

Why? Because I have found this is the way you stay alive and don't die in most situations.

My parents were paradoxical in many ways the way that all people are. They thought that raising me in their religion was the most important thing. But, I think equally important was the scientific nature of my father in an engineering sense. He had been valedictorian of his High School class and then his father wouldn't let him or his brothers go to college because he wanted to be an Electrical engineer.

So, he was always very angry about this while I was growing up even though I realized after studying this problem that his father had actually been very wise because people with college degrees (sort of like now) are and were then during the Great Depression (Dad Graduated High school in 1934) starving to death literally. Whereas being a tradesman like an Electrician or carpenter or plumber like that always had jobs during the great Depression because wealthier people always need their houses repaired or added onto or new homes built. So, if you have a salable trade you will always have work. But, if you are a white collar worker now you might starve in this present economy.

But, generally speaking I have always found when things get bad always go with logic and reason because that is what often will keep you alive when nothing else will.

So, it's not that I loved always logic and reason, it's that I realized over time that everyone who didn't use logic and reason either died or their life got ruined along the way.

Without logic and reason and pragmatism most people don't even live to be 30 worldwide. I have watched friends of mine dying because of this since I was a child. If you can stay calm enough watching how people you know and love die will keep you alive to my age or longer.

What taught me to live to be 72?

Watching how my father died when I was 37. He didn't have to die. He just needed an operation but because he didn't get that operation he died at 69. So, watching even how my father died is one reason I'm still alive at 72 for my wife and kids and grandkids.

You have to learn not only from your own mistakes but from the mistakes of everyone you know worldwide.

If you don't learn from the mistakes of others (and your own) then you are doomed to repeat those mistakes.