Logic vs. Rationality vs. Rationalizing vs. Reasoning

Definition:

“Logic” is the systematic study of valid reasoning. It involves principles and rules that determine whether an argument is valid or invalid, based on structure rather than content.

“Rationality” refers to the quality of being reasonable, based on facts, proof, evidence, and logical thinking. It encompasses not just the structure of reasoning but also the alignment with goals, beliefs, knowledge, or available information.

“Rationalizing” is the act of justifying or explaining a behavior, decision, or belief, often in a way that seems logical but may not be based on valid reasoning or facts.

“Reasoning” is the mental process of thinking about something in a logical and sensible way to form a conclusion or judgment. “Reason” refers to the cause, justification, knowledge, or understanding behind a belief, action, or thought.

Etymology:

The term “logic” originates from the Greek word “logos,” meaning “reason,” “word,” or “discourse.” It reflects the systematic way of reasoning that has been central to philosophical traditions since ancient times.

“Rationality” stems from the Latin word “rationalis,” which is derived from “ratio,” meaning “reason” or “calculation.” It conveys the idea of thinking aligned with reason and evidence.

“Rationalizing” also traces back to the Latin “rationalis” and “ratio.” However, its usage evolved to include the process of making something appear reasonable, often retrospectively or deceptively.

The word “reason” comes from the Latin “rationem,” meaning “reckoning” or “explanation.” It conveys the act of providing justification or forming conclusions through logical thought.

Description:

Logic focuses on the structure of arguments, ensuring that the form of reasoning is valid, regardless of the accuracy of the premises. For instance, “If all unicorns can fly, and Bob is a unicorn, then Bob can fly” is supposedly logically valid, even though the premise about unicorns is false. However, while logic by definition does not require premises to be accurate, if a premise can be pointed out as false, the logic collapses, making it no longer logical. The problem lies in detecting whether something is actually logical. Often, individuals may unknowingly use a false premise despite having been exposed to the accurate one earlier. In such cases, what appears as logical thinking is actually rationalizing.

To understand rationality, it is essential to grasp the distinction between proof and evidence. Evidence does not necessarily mean something is accurate, whereas proof should absolutely mean something is accurate. Proof always holds more weight than evidence. Rationality that contains proof always surpasses rationality that is based solely on evidence. When rationality with proof overcomes rationality with only evidence, the latter effectively downgrades to rationalizing.

The language confusion between rationality and rationalizing arises because both words share the root “rational,” which implies reasoning. While rationality is grounded in accuracy and sound reasoning, rationalizing often involves justifying actions or beliefs with flawed reasoning, leading to the illusion of rationality. This overlap can create misunderstandings, where justification is mistaken for genuine reasonableness.

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