A Study of "Non-Truth" — Mapping the "Dark Continent of Non-Logos" that Drives Human Society, Using Truth (Logic) as a Fixed Point

A Study of "Non-Truth" — Mapping the "Dark Continent of Non-Logos" that Drives Human Society, Using Truth (Logic) as a Fixed Point 1. Introduction: Aspects of the Non-Logical Human Humans and society cannot be analyzed solely through rationality, logic, or scientific metrics. As neuroscience and the humanities suggest, the vast majority of human existence is rooted in the "non-logical." The term "non-logical" encompasses the good, the bad, and everything in between. For instance, the experiences that give us joy in life—from high culture like art, music, and literature to subcultures like manga, anime, and games—do not adhere to strict logical systems. Conversely, malicious propaganda, the rhetoric of fraud, and brainwashing by specific ideologies also establish themselves by appealing to non-logical emotions and cognitive distortions. Furthermore, there is the realm of "disintegration" dealt with in psychiatry, such as loosening of associations, word salad, and incoherence. While typically treated as pathology, these elements are ubiquitously present in "normal" social life in altered forms. This paper attempts to list, classify, and analyze "that which is not truth" constituting human society. It covers the spectrum from Rhetoric (opposed to Logos in Ancient Greece) and Sophistry, to the non-rational domains handled by modern philosophy, and finally to the psychopathological structures observed in clinical settings. 2. Setting "Truth" as a Fixed Point For this analysis, we must first limit the definition of "Truth." Generally, "Truth" can refer to religious ultimate laws, philosophical absolute knowledge, or enlightenment (Nirvana), often approaching mysticism. However, here we use "Truth" in the narrow sense of "Logical Truth/Falsehood" for the sake of fixed-point observation. We define "Truth = Logic (Logos)" as a consistent system that derives true conclusions from true premises, as in mathematics or logic. From the perspective of humanity as a whole, logic may be but a small facet. However, to observe the vast and chaotic "non-logical," an unshakable fixed point is necessary. Viewed from this fixed point of "Logic," the vastness of the "Non-Logos" continent covering society and how it constructs the reality of modern society becomes apparent. This is also a practical application of modern thought, which iterates between construction and deconstruction. 3. Current Social Conditions and Ideology Humans cannot live by logic alone. We require things to cling to, such as ideologies, narratives, faith, or desires. As Buddhist emptiness (Sunyata) and Structuralism have revealed, humans possess no solid "inherent nature" (Svabhava) and barely maintain a self through connections and relationships with the outside. In the 20th century, powerful ideologies like Marxism existed. Current trends—modern liberalism, SDGs, DEI, LGBTQ+—are in that lineage but lack the solid systems of the past, often behaving like opportunistic, transient epidemics. Opposing forces like Neoliberalism and Globalism are also ideologies. Interestingly, "non-logical defense mechanisms" become most prominent when people attempt to absolutize and defend specific ideologies or beliefs. When contradictions are pointed out in debate, or when suppression and exclusion occur, we observe the eruption of sophistry ignoring facts, fascist aggression, or delusional logic bordering on psychopathology. 4. Classification System of the "Dark Continent of Non-Logos" Here, we classify the discourses and psychological structures that deviate from Logic (Logos) yet function socially into a three-layered structure: 1) Inner Mind, 2) Interpersonal Rhetoric, and 3) Social/Cultural Structure. These form a continuous gradation between the pathological and the strategic. Layer 1: The "Non-Logos" of the Inner Mind (Dynamics and Cognition) Pre-logical energies and cognitive distortions swirling within the individual. Desire and Impulse: Will and desire do not necessarily align with the subject's rational interests. Impulses and explosive behaviors where "one knows logically but cannot stop" are driving forces that breakthrough logic. Dionysian Intoxication (Manic State): Groundless omnipotence, elation, and leaps of thought, as described by Nietzsche. Socially, this may appear as "charisma," but it lacks a landing point (logical conclusion). Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Justification: The psychology of twisting logic to make ends meet when actions and beliefs contradict. This includes not only conscious lies but also unconscious "defense mechanisms (denial, projection)." Fortress of the Dunning-Kruger Effect: A state where "one cannot recognize their own incompetence precisely because of that incompetence." It creates an invincible cognitive structure that accepts no external valid evaluation or logical correction. Paranoid World Construction: A state of building an extremely precise and closed logical system based on false premises like "I am being watched" or "The world is full of conspiracies." Being consistent internally, external correction is impossible. Layer 2: Interpersonal "Non-Logos" (Modern Sophistry) Language techniques in dialogue aimed not at the pursuit of truth but at "Victory," "Escape," or "Domination." 1. Spinning Meaning & Evasion of Responsibility (Blurring Techniques) Tautological Syntax (Shinjiro Koizumi Style): A circular rhetoric like "We must not stay as we are. That is why I believe we must not stay as we are." It conveys only emotion and determination while spinning meaning in circles, erasing the locus of responsibility. "Gohan" Logic (Evasive Literalism): A method of dodging the core issue by arbitrarily narrowing definitions and ignoring context, e.g., answering "I did not have Gohan (rice)" when asked "Did you have breakfast?" (after eating bread). Evaporation of Subject and Responsibility: Bureaucratic rhetoric that obscures the actor, such as "There are voices saying..." or "We must consider this as a society," dissipating responsibility into the fog. 2. Disturbance & Attack (Twisting Techniques) Whataboutism: A propaganda technique from the Cold War era that neutralizes criticism by bringing up a separate issue: "What about you/them? They did the same thing in the past." Strawman Fallacy: Attacking an opponent's argument after intentionally distorting it into an extreme or weak form (a straw man). Moving the Goalposts: Changing the conditions for victory or the standards of demand ex-post facto when losing an argument, ensuring no conclusion is reached. 3. Overwriting with Emotion & Morality (Silencing Techniques) Virtue Signaling: Signaling "I am such a considerate, good person" rather than discussing the content's merit, placing the opponent in an ethical disadvantage to silence them. Weaponization of Victimhood: Presenting subjective feelings of "I was hurt" or "It is unpleasant" as inviolable "facts," sealing off logical criticism as "harm/aggression." Domination of "The Atmosphere" (Kuuki): A meta-communication specific to high-context cultures (like Japan). Logos is crushed by peer pressure: "You are not reading the room (Kuuki) by saying that here." Layer 3: Social/Cultural "Non-Logos" (Structure and Enthusiasm) The atmosphere covering society and structural distortions. Bakhtin's Carnival (Festive Inversion): Temporary enthusiasm where order, hierarchy, and truth are overturned. Modern "festivals" or "flaming wars" on social media aim for liberation (venting) through chaos rather than logical resolution. Revenge Structure of Ressentiment: A structure where the weak achieve psychological revenge against the strong not through realistic power but by fabricating "moral superiority." It is the logicization of resentment behind the Christian ethic of "Blessed are the poor." Post-Truth and Narrative Wars: A situation where narratives the supporters want to believe take precedence over objective facts. Conspiracy theories and "Alternative Facts" function as tools for solidarity. Gish Gallop (Flood of Information): Throwing a massive amount of inaccurate information or half-truths in a short time to saturate the opponent's verification capacity and force a suspension of thought. 5. Analytical Perspective: The Politics of "Parano" and "Schizo" Organizing the above classifications through a Deleuze-Guattarian lens, non-logical discourses are largely divided into two poles: Paranoid (Fixation/Domination): Characteristics: Surplus of meaning, assertiveness, binary friend/foe distinction, conspiracy theories, dogmatic political correctness. Function: "Domination" and "Self-Justification." Blocking the outside to maintain a robust delusional system. Schizophrenic (Split/Escape): Characteristics: Meaninglessness, emptiness, tautology, joking/irony, evaporation of responsibility. Function: "Escape" and "Avoidance of Responsibility." Keeping meaning fluid and sliding symbols to dodge pursuit. Modern politics and social issues unfold in a "Mud Swamp" where this "Paranoid Domination" and "Schizophrenic Escape" are complexly intertwined. 6. Conclusion and Outlook This enumeration reveals that humans and society are neither explained by nor constituted solely of "Truth" or "Logic." Discussions of "Construction/Deconstruction" in modern philosophy are mere games of the high-conscious upper layer; the bulk of real society is driven by these fallacies, desires, ressentiment, and festive frenzies. The era of massive opposition structures like the Cold War has vanished, replaced by what could be called a "Mini-Cold War"—a proliferation of small-scale, intolerant ideological conflicts. In this landscape, "laughter" is lost, replaced by serious-faced exchanges of accusations and endless "consideration." Meanwhile, neoliberal competitive society has birthed invisible tears and inequality behind its superficial brightness. To understand this chaotic "World of Non-Logos" and prescribe solutions, no single existing discipline suffices. Modern Philosophy/Thought: Provides a framework to overview chaotic phenomena. Mahayana Buddhism: Relativizes attachment (ideologies) and unravels paranoid fixations through perspectives like Sunyata (Emptiness) and Madhyamaka (Middle Way). Modern Mathematics: Provides Logic as a rigorous fixed point and a language to describe chaos and complex systems. An intelligence (literacy) that integrates these three may be the key for people of different standpoints to converse on a common ground in this divided world. It is not merely a pursuit of "correctness" but a more comprehensive form of wisdom that embraces human weakness, foolishness, and lovable irrationality.