rationality
gb/ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/ us/ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/
C1
English
észszerűség, racionalitás, józan ítélőképesség
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
észszerűség
C1
racionalitás
C1
Usage pattern:
the rationality of [something]; [someone's] rationality
Many voters questioned the rationality of spending so much money on the project.
Sok választó megkérdőjelezte annak az észszerűségét, hogy ennyi pénzt költsenek a projektre.
The plan has a certain rationality, even if some of its details are unpopular.
Ennek a tervnek van bizonyos észszerűsége, még ha egyes részletei népszerűtlenek is.
In a crisis, fear can make it difficult to maintain calm rationality.
Learner examples
We need rationality, not panic.
Most észszerűségre van szükség, nem pánikra.
I do not understand the rationality of that decision.
Nem értem annak a döntésnek az észszerűségét.
Common mistake:
Do not use rationality to mean the reason or explanation for something; use rationale.
Meaning
reasonableness and logic
Collocations
question the rationality
|doubt the rationality
|defend the rationality
|the rationality of a decision
|the rationality of a policy
|calm rationality
|scientific rationality
|pure rationality
|basic rationality
|maintain rationality
Synonyms
reasonableness (emphasizes being sensible and fair)
|
logic (emphasizes clear reasoning more than sensible behavior)
|
sanity (less formal and often means practical good sense)
Antonyms
irrationality (lack of reason or logical control)
|
unreasonableness (failure to be sensible, fair, or logical)
Themes
reasoning
|decision_making
|logic
|behavior
Definition
the quality of thinking or acting in a logical and sensible way
The quality of being sensible, logical, and based on reason rather than emotion, impulse, or superstition.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[human/individual/collective] rationality; the limits of [someone's] rationality
The book explores whether artificial intelligence can display genuine rationality.
A könyv azt vizsgálja, hogy a mesterséges intelligencia képes-e valódi racionalitást felmutatni.
Stress and lack of sleep can reduce our rationality.
A stressz és az alváshiány ronthatja a józan ítélőképességünket.
Philosophers have long debated the nature and limits of human rationality.
Learner examples
Humans do not always use their rationality.
Az emberek nem mindig a racionalitásukra támaszkodnak.
Tiredness can affect your rationality.
A fáradtság ronthatja a józan ítélőképességedet.
Common mistake:
Rationality is usually uncountable. Academic writers may say rationalities when discussing different kinds or systems of reasoning.
Meaning
capacity for reasoned thought
Collocations
human rationality
|individual rationality
|collective rationality
|limited rationality
|the limits of rationality
|capacity for rationality
|models of rationality
|standards of rationality
|forms of rationality
|nature of rationality
Synonyms
reason (the general human faculty of logical thought)
|
reasoning ability (more direct and less abstract)
|
judgment (focuses on making good decisions)
Antonyms
irrationality (thinking or acting without proper reason)
|
impulsiveness (acting quickly from feeling rather than thought)
|
instinct (automatic response rather than deliberate reasoning)
Themes
psychology
|reasoning
|mind
|decision_making
Definition
the ability to think clearly and make decisions for logical reasons
The mental capacity to think logically, form judgments, and make decisions on the basis of reasons.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
racionalitás
C2
Usage pattern:
assume rationality; a model of rationality; rationality in [economics/decision theory]
Traditional economic models often assume perfect rationality.
A hagyományos közgazdasági modellek gyakran tökéletes racionalitást feltételeznek.
Behavioral economists study where human choices depart from strict rationality.
A viselkedési közgazdászok azt vizsgálják, hol térnek el az emberi döntések a szigorú racionalitástól.
The pricing model relies on a narrow idea of consumer rationality.
Learner examples
The theory assumes rationality in buyers and sellers.
Az elmélet racionalitást feltételez a vevők és az eladók részéről.
Real people often do not show perfect rationality.
A való életben az emberek gyakran nem tanúsítanak tökéletes racionalitást.
Common mistake:
In this use, rationality does not mean kindness or morality; it means consistent goal-directed choice.
Meaning
goal-directed optimal choice
Collocations
assumption of rationality
|rationality assumption
|perfect rationality
|strict rationality
|economic rationality
|instrumental rationality
|bounded rationality
|consumer rationality
|models of rationality
|depart from rationality
Synonyms
utility maximization (narrower economic term for choosing the option with the greatest expected benefit)
|
optimizing behavior (emphasizes selecting the best available option)
|
consistent choice (emphasizes stable preferences and logical decisions)
Antonyms
irrational behavior (choices that do not follow consistent reasoning or preferences)
|
cognitive bias (systematic mental error that can prevent fully rational choice)
Themes
economics
|decision_theory
|business
|psychology
|social_science
Definition
the economic idea that people make choices that consistently serve their goals or interests
In economics and decision theory, the principle or assumption that people choose consistently in ways that best satisfy their preferences or goals, given the information they have.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rationality
IPA
GB/ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/
US/ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/
Syllables & stress
ra - tion - al - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (al)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rationality
- Plural: rationalities, rationality
Expressions
bounded rationality
1/bˈaʊndɪd ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
limited rational decision-making
the idea that people make the best decision they can, but their knowledge and thinking time are limited
Examples
- The company used the concept of bounded rationality to explain why managers sometimes choose a satisfactory option rather than the best possible one.
- Bounded rationality helps explain why consumers do not always compare every available product.
- In real markets, bounded rationality is often more realistic than the assumption of perfect information.
Learner examples
- Bounded rationality means people cannot think about every option.
- The manager made a good-enough choice because of bounded rationality.
economic rationality
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
self-interested economic reasoning
making choices mainly to get the best economic result
Examples
- From the viewpoint of economic rationality, closing the factory saved the company money.
- The policy was criticized for treating economic rationality as more important than social welfare.
- Consumers do not always behave according to simple economic rationality.
Learner examples
- Economic rationality focuses on costs and benefits.
- The decision made sense as economic rationality.
instrumental rationality
1/ˌɪnstɹəmˈɛntəl ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
efficient means-end reasoning
thinking logically about how to reach a goal, without asking whether the goal is right
Examples
- Instrumental rationality can explain why the strategy worked, but it cannot show whether the goal was ethical.
- The debate contrasted instrumental rationality with moral reasoning.
- A purely instrumental rationality may value efficiency over human needs.
Learner examples
- Instrumental rationality asks, 'What is the best way to reach this goal?'
- It does not ask if the goal is good.
rationality assumption
1/ɹˌæʃənˈælɪti əsˈʌmpʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
assumption of rational behavior
the idea in a model that people or companies will make logical choices that support their goals
Examples
- The rationality assumption makes the model easier to analyze but less realistic.
- Behavioral economics challenges the rationality assumption in traditional theory.
- The forecast depends heavily on a strong rationality assumption about consumers.
Learner examples
- The rationality assumption says people choose logically.
- The model uses a rationality assumption.