As rational beings, humans are gifted with an extraordinary ability: the power to think, process experience, and generate ideas. From this capacity arises logic—our primary tool for building knowledge, formulating theories, and creating technology. It’s not an exaggeration to say that logic is the cornerstone of civilization’s progress.

However, life does not always unfold within rational parameters. Not every issue can be solved through numbers, formulas, or logical analysis. In daily reality, many decisions demand empathy and compassion—beyond mere calculation.

To make wise decisions is to see from multiple perspectives. Behind every policy lies psychological, social, and cultural dimensions that affect many people—often in ways beyond the reach of short-term logic.

This is where moral reasoning comes into play—anchored in empathy, conscience, and a sense of responsibility toward others and the environment. If logic speaks from the mind, morality speaks from the heart. These two should not be seen as opposing forces, but as complementary pillars that must be balanced wisely.

In his book "Educating with Heart", the Rector of Dian Nusantara University (UNDIRA), Prof. Dr. H. Suharyadi, emphasizes that true education is not merely about transferring knowledge, but about character formation—the ability to feel the suffering of others and to cultivate a strong sense of humanity. This is a crucial reminder in an academic world that often leans too heavily on logic and too little on humanism.

Contemporary issues, such as the proposed nickel mining in Raja Ampat, challenge this balance. From an economic standpoint, the move may appear logical. Indonesia holds large reserves of nickel, and global demand continues to rise in line with the transition to green energy. Opening mines in Raja Ampat seems beneficial for national growth, investment, and employment.

Yet Raja Ampat is not just a resource reservoir. It is one of the world’s most critical marine conservation areas—home to 75% of the planet’s coral species and over 1,500 species of fish. Since 2017, the area has been officially designated as a marine conservation zone by the local and provincial governments.

Thus, the question evolves: it’s no longer just “what can we gain?” but “what must we preserve?” Logic offers short-term benefits, but morality urges us to think long-term. Decisions devoid of ethical consideration often fail to grasp the environmental consequences and the rights of future generations.

As academics—both students and lecturers—we bear a responsibility not only to think intelligently but also to act wisely. The world requires more than technical solutions; it calls for the courage to ask not just what is profitable, but what is right.

Protecting Raja Ampat is not merely about conserving biodiversity—it is about upholding the values of sustainability and intergenerational justice. What we protect today becomes the legacy we pass on tomorrow.

In the end, not everything can be measured in numbers. The values of life, humanity, and sustainability cannot be fully captured by logic alone. That is the unique gift of being human—not only to think but to feel.

So let us, as members of the academic world, stand for decisions that are not only logical, but also filled with empathy. Between the mind and the heart, between logic and conscience—there lies the essence of a true and humane civilization.