To be logical you have to dig up and face your own hidden motives and emotions, and of course they're hidden principally because you don't want to face them.So...um...it's easier to let your basement feelings run the upper storeys, so to speak, and the result is quarrels, love, opinions, anorexia, philanthropy... almost anything you can think of. I just like to know what's going on down there, to pick out why I truly want to do things, that's all. Then I can do them, or not. Whichever.
In the excerpt, the author emphasizes that true logic requires introspection, where one must confront their concealed motives and emotions. These deeper feelings often remain unacknowledged because people prefer to avoid them. Instead of addressing these underlying issues, individuals frequently let unresolved emotions influence their decisions and interactions, leading to conflicts, varied interests, and struggles such as anorexia or misplaced altruism.
The author expresses a desire to understand these hidden aspects of themselves to gain clarity on their motivations. By identifying the reasons behind their actions, they can make informed choices about how to proceed, whether to pursue a particular desire or to reject it. This self-awareness ultimately empowers them to navigate their lives more intentionally.