I don’t know for sure who said it (Pascal has been credited with saying something close to it), but I’ve been thinking lately about a quote I read years ago in one of Viktor Frankl’s books, which I believe read: “The heart has reasons that are beyond reason.”

This is where reason and faith would seem to collide, but a recent article (actually, a speech transcribed into an article) I read by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman makes an excellent case for the coexistence of reason and faith.

In the simplest of terms, the basis of this idea is that whether or not anyone likes it, everyone — including the most factually grounded objectivist — harbors a multitude of faiths. In fact, you have to have faith in order to be able to use reason.

For example, even atheism is the faith that there is no invisible power in which to have faith. All reasoning is based on certain beliefs.

When I met and fell in love with my wife, there was no reasoning involved. My heart had reasons that were beyond reason. When I decided to write and self-publish a book, it was insanely unreasonable. It was based solely on faith. Ditto with thousands of other “gut feelings” I have experienced, and acted upon, throughout my lifetime.

It’s important to understand that belief is neutral. It can be a good thing — e.g., belief that creating value for others will create wealth for ourselves. Or it can be a bad thing — e.g., believing that some people’s lives are worth less than others. But everyone has an endless number of beliefs.

Strong beliefs (i.e., faith) and strong reasoning powers make for a strong individual. On the surface, strange bedfellows … but on closer inspection, not really.