The term rational is derived from the Latin verb “reasonare” which means to deduce by reason. In philosophy, by rational we mean anything that is justified by reason, that is to say by relying on facts and logical arguments.
In everyday life, we can also describe as rational a person who makes decisions thoughtfully and based on objective criteria, without leaving room for emotions.
Definition of the term “rational”, according to philosophy and psychology
The term “rational” comes from the Latin “ratio” which means “calculation” or “reason”. It refers to logical thinking and the ability to reason coherently. In philosophy, reason is considered to be the faculty of knowing, understanding and ordering things. It allows us to distinguish truth from falsehood, good from evil. Reason is therefore an essential tool for deciding what to do in a given situation.
In psychology, rational thinking is considered to be a person's dominant mode of thinking. This person favors logical arguments and facts over emotions or feelings. Rational people are often calm and level-headed, which allows them to make informed decisions.
Examples of Rational and Irrational Thoughts in Daily Life
“Rational” is a term that refers to a form of logical and objective thinking. Rational thinking is based on facts and evidence, not emotions or personal opinions.
To think rationally is to try to understand the world around us in a logical way, using our reason and our intelligence. It’s also about trying not to let our emotions influence us in our choices or our judgments.
For example, imagine that you are at work and you had an argument with a co-worker. Your first reaction may be to kiss him to make him pay, but if you think rationally, you'll realize that this won't solve anything and will only make things worse. Instead, you will try to find a diplomatic and constructive solution, such as talking calmly with him to try to understand what happened.
In everyday life, it is often difficult to think rationally because our emotions often cause us to act irrationally. For example, if someone hurts us, we tend to want to repay them, even if it wouldn't solve anything.
Thinking rationally also means knowing how to control yourself and not react immediately to things. For example, if someone insults you, you don't respond right away, but you take the time to think about a calm and composed response.
It is important to know how to think rationally, because it allows us to make the right decisions and deal effectively with difficult situations in life.
According to the definition of the term “rational”, it can be inferred that rational thinking is a way of thinking based on logic and common sense. However, daily life shows us that it is not always easy to think rationally. Indeed, there are often external factors that influence us and push us to act irrationally.