We are taught, from an early age, to value reason. To be measured. To weigh evidence. To listen, compare, and decide. Reasonability becomes a virtue—one that allows societies to function, relationships to endure, and decisions to be made with some degree of fairness and predictability.
And yet, if we look closely at the moments that truly shape our lives- the inflection points, the breakthroughs, the acts of courage- we often find something else at play. Something less tidy. Less predictable. Something, at first glance, that might even seem… unreasonable.
Today, in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, manipulated images, and emotionally charged narratives, the line between what is real and what is constructed has blurred. We are inundated with information, yet often left uncertain about truth. In such a landscape, reason becomes both more essential and, paradoxically, sometimes insufficient.
So when is it wise to be reasonable? And when might it be necessary to be unreasonable?
The Strength of Being Reasonable
To be reasonable is to pause. To consider. To engage with reality as it presents itself.
It is the ability to say: Let me understand before I react.
In conservation work, reason guides strategy. It helps us assess ecosystems, allocate limited resources, and build partnerships that endure beyond individual personalities. Reason is what allows scientists, policymakers, and communities to sit at the same table and find common ground.
In our personal lives, reason allows us to navigate conflict without escalation. It invites empathy. It tempers impulsivity. It creates space for dialogue rather than division.
Reason, in many ways, is the scaffolding of a stable life.
And yet, scaffolding alone does not create a cathedral.
The Power of Being Unreasonable
To be “unreasonable” is not to be irrational or reckless. Rather, it is to challenge the assumptions that quietly govern our thinking.
It is to say: What if the limits I’ve accepted are not real?
Every meaningful movement- whether in science, human rights, or environmental protection- has required individuals willing to be unreasonable in the face of prevailing norms.
It was unreasonable to believe that orangutans could communicate using human-designed sign systems. Yet, in the forests of Borneo, that “unreasonable” idea opened a window into their cognitive and emotional lives that many had not previously imagined.
It is often unreasonable to dedicate decades of one’s life to protecting a species whose habitat is being steadily reduced by economic forces far larger than any one individual. And yet, without that kind of unreasonable commitment, many conservation efforts would simply not exist.
Being unreasonable is what allows us to take a stand when compromise would be easier—but insufficient.
It is what fuels innovation, compassion, and, at times, quiet defiance.
Lessons from the Forest
In the canopy of Borneo and Sumatra, orangutans live lives that are, in many ways, a study in balance.
They are, by nature, deliberate beings. They move thoughtfully through the forest, guided by deep mental maps of fruiting trees and seasonal patterns.
They conserve energy. They avoid unnecessary conflict. In this, they embody a kind of reasonableness- an attunement to reality that is both efficient and wise.
And yet, there are moments when an orangutan will reach beyond what seems certain.
A young juvenile, learning to navigate the canopy, stretches toward a branch that may or may not support its weight. A mother, carrying her infant, chooses a path that requires trust in her own judgment rather than certainty. These are not reckless acts- they are necessary explorations.
Without them, growth would not occur.
The orangutan does not philosophize about being reasonable or unreasonable. It simply responds to the moment with what is needed- caution when caution is warranted, boldness when boldness is required.
There is something deeply instructive in that.
Navigating a World of Uncertainty
In our current era, the challenge is not simply choosing between reason and unreason. It is discerning when each is called for.
When confronted with a flood of information—some accurate, some distorted—reason asks us to verify, to question sources, to resist the pull of immediate emotional reaction.
But when faced with injustice, environmental destruction, or deeply ingrained habits that no longer serve us, reason alone may lead to endless analysis without action.
There are times when we must be unreasonable enough to say:
This cannot continue.
There must be another way.
I am willing to step outside the expected to create something better.
The danger lies at either extreme. Pure reason can become paralysis. Pure unreason can become chaos.
Wisdom lies in the integration.
A Personal Reflection
Over the years, I have found myself moving between these two states more often than I might have expected.
There were times when being reasonable- working within systems, building partnerships, aligning with institutional frameworks- allowed progress to take root.
And there were times when being unreasonable- questioning authority, pursuing unconventional approaches, or simply refusing to give up- made that progress possible in the first place.
Looking back, it is not a question of choosing one over the other.
It is a question of timing. Of awareness. Of knowing when to hold steady and when to reach beyond.
The Invitation
Perhaps the question is not, “Should I be reasonable or unreasonable?”
Perhaps the more useful question is:
What does this moment require of me?
Does it call for patience, listening, and careful thought?
Or does it call for courage, disruption, and a willingness to step into the unknown?
Like the orangutan in the canopy, we are constantly navigating a landscape of choices- some stable, some uncertain.
And like them, we carry within us the capacity for both discernment and daring.
In a world that often feels increasingly complex and, at times, disorienting, this balance may be one of the most important skills we can cultivate.
To be grounded enough to see clearly.
And bold enough to act when clarity alone is not enough.
In the end, it is not about being reasonable or unreasonable.
It is about being fully awake to when each is needed—and having the wisdom to move between them.
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