Emotions and reason

Mon Mar 15 2021 - 00:03

A chara, – Billy Ó Hanluain's letter evoked a childhood memory ("Emotion is a poor substitute for thought", March 12th).

As a small child prone to tantrums, my long-suffering mother would challenge that with the directive, “Go away now and think about it, and come back when you’ve calmed down.”

My favourite place to go to reflect was under a big mahogany sideboard where, after some reflection, I always emerged thinking more clearly and feeling much better.

We need bigger sideboards and more time for reflection. – Yours, etc,