The martial art of rationality provides for seeing what the science of rationality means for ourselves, for our daily inner life. If so, I wonder whether war complicates exercising the muscles of sound reasoning or alters what rationality means for me. Along with the systematic fallibility of the mind, daily missile attacks (there are air raid sirens almost every day, though the frequency depends on each region) and psychological operations become an everyday thing. In this essay, I want to convey my experience of what hardships I (along with other Ukrainians) have met in exercising rationality during the full-scale phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war; I do not aim to convince you of anything but explain what is on my mind now. I would appreciate your reflections on it.

Go to shelter vs It is business as usual as the air raid siren starts to howl

As I am writing this essay, a Russian missile (or drone; probably several of them) is approaching its target in the region where I live or in the neighboring one. When I am in the flow of studying, working, or engaged with anything else, the necessity to disrupt this state of mind sets my nerves on edge (it occurs 4-5 times a day on average; if you are eager to know the statistics of air raid sirens in Ukraine, you can find it out here). I can risk my life and health ignoring the siren or go to a nearest shelter once my app gives a howling signal and stay there for probably more than one hour. My acquaintances and I predominantly pay no attention to it (but bear in mind) unless they happen to hear warning sounds or explosions. Certainly, I should mention that we can afford to ignore sirens thanks to the efficacy of the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces. But at the same time we do not know, may be inattentive enough, or dream dreams in our beds in the middle of night to lose track of when the Russians launch a specific missile that will eventually hit a residential house, a shopping center, or any other public space facility. And then life is wasted, no repetition.

Escape from the war to embrace uncertainty Vs. Stay home to embrace the gifts of war

One day a few months of full-scale invasion later, my mom said, “Be ready. We may go west if Russians reach too close.” We sat on the suitcases because we were aware of what happened when Russians took (even temporary) contr...

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