The Logics of Delusion

Delusion, has traditionally been presented as synonymous with irrationality (absurdity, groundlessness, error, chaos), while its mirror image, reason (rationality), has been defined in terms of evidence, demonstrability, truth and order. Over time, the two concepts have become complementary. And, perhaps the most illustrious trend of modern philosophy - the introduction of so-called "rationalism" into common sense - in seeking to imitate the successes of the mathematical and physical sciences, has adopted a model that is, strictly speaking, inappropriate to the human world. Unable to find such a model within itself it has abandoned large and crucial areas of individual and social existence to the thorns and thickets of ignorance, while leaving the task of establishing their regime to political and religious power, to history, tradition, habit and fate.