What does it mean to be rational?

What does it mean to be rational?

rational. … Rational comes from the Latin word rationalis, meaning reasonable or logical. If you're rational, you do things based on logic, as opposed to impulse or whimsy. The original meaning in English was of something endowed with the ability to reason.

Is it good to be rational?

In one sense of good, it is good in this case to think irrationally, but in another sense, it remains good for you to think rationally, because rational thinking in itself is always good. … The fact that you succeeded in getting things right is explained in part by the fact that you were thinking rationally.

Why do we need to be rational?

To think, believe and behave in a manner best calculated to secure the desired something is to be rational. Thought and judgement clouded and disturbed by passions, bias, wishfulness, magical thinking and whatever impairs mental clarity and self-control run counter to achieving desired goals, and are irrational.