Rational

What do we mean by rational?

Having or exercising the ability to reason. synonym: logical. adjective

Consistent with or based on reason or good judgment; logical or sensible. adjective

Of sound mind; sane. adjective

Capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers. adjective

A rational number. noun

In mathematics, a rational number. noun

One who is a believer in so-called ‘rational’ reforms, as in dress or food. noun

Of, pertaining to, or springing from the reason, in the sense of the highest faculty of cognition.

Endowed with reason, in the sense of that faculty which distinguishes man from the brutes: as, man is a rational animal.

Conformable to the precepts of reason, especially of the practical reason; reasonable; wise.

In arithmetic and algebra:

Expressible in finite terms: applied to expressions in which no extraction of a root is left, or, at least, none such indicated which cannot be actually performed by known processes.

In Euclid's “Elements” and commentaries, etc., on that work, commensurable with a given line.

In ancient prosody, capable of measurement in terms of the metrical unit (semeion or mora).

The composition of elements which only differ as viewed by the mind, and not as they exist, as the composition of essence and existence, of being and relation, etc.

The union of several objects so far as they are brought together into or under one concept.

The limits of rational knowledge.

Knowledge springing directly or indirectly from reason, and not from experience.

Synonyms Rational, Reasonable, sensible, enlightened, discreet, intelligent, sane, sound. The first two words are somewhat different, according as they refer to persons or things. As to persons, rational is the more speculative, reasonable the more practical term; rational means possessing the faculty of reason, while reasonable means exercising reason in its broader sense, in opposition to unreasonable—that is, guided by prejudice, fancy, etc. In fever the patient may become irrational and give irrational answers; when he is rational he may through weakness and fretfulness make unreasonable demands of his physician. As to things, the distinction continues between the narrower and the broader senses: a rational proposition is one that might proceed from a rational mind; a reasonable proposition is one that is marked by common sense and fairness. It is irrational to look for a coal-mine in a granite-ledge; it is unreasonable to expect good work for poor pay. See absurd.

A quiddity; a universal; a. nature. noun

A rational number: a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers.

A logical reasoning for doing something Urban Dictionary

Giving every person a fixed official amount of certain sorts of food, fuel or clothing, when they are in short supply. Urban Dictionary

To make excuses by masking own flaws/insecurities by explaining one's own reasoning/actions, often used to avoid the real reason or reality when all it does it make one small, simple & scared. Urban Dictionary

See logical. The ability to reason. A quality lacking in most. A good rule of thumb is, those who claim to be rational are the least rational. Virtually non-existant in political circles worldwide. While not important to happiness, the world needs rational people to function. No one knows why. Urban Dictionary

When you want to say ratio but you misspell it. Urban Dictionary

A ration is portion of a beverage. Analagous to a sip. Generally reffering to a beer or a soda post dipping (chewing tabacco). Urban Dictionary

Something logical that makes sense. Urban Dictionary

Rations can be a alternative way to say “ffs” , “ugh” “wth” etc... instead of actually being rude and swearing etc. There are many more examples of this word in this context but it’s mainly that and also when someone is disgusted or something saying the word “rations” is a quick reaction to something negative. This is also used as a A small portion of anything in this context too it doesn’t even have to be food if it’s just a small charger or something you would say “that’s rations” if you are not happy with something for example having to work over time you would say “how rations” etc etc.. Calling someone a ration may just be a nicer way to call them a twat/idiot or just if you have a habitat of that word and ration isn’t a swear word so you won’t be offending anyone by calling them that. *THIS IS RATIONS IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT THIS IS THE SLANG DEFINITION FOR THE WORD RATIONS...I am aware there is the original definition too but this is a a definition of a different way of saying it. Urban Dictionary

Cognitive rationality is matching one's beliefs with reality. Instrumental rationality is choosing effective means to achieve one's goals. Achieving one's goals in the real world necessarily demands that one's beliefs be consistent with the independent reality that stands over against us. Teleological rationality is choosing the right goals as established by the objective moral order ordained by God. Logic can be rational in some cases and not others. Science can be rational in some cases and not others. The same with emotions, intuitions, art, and religious faith. Let's consider logic in this regard. Logic can clearly spell out the assumptions and the argument structure that lead people to the conclusions they are propounding. The clarity of these arguments can verify the truth of the claim one is making so that one has a clear and distinct idea of it. If there is an error in the reasoning, then the clarity of articulating the argument allows one to identify and correct the mistake. On the other hand, there are cases where the knowledge that is necessary to draw a conclusion is implicit, so that the premisses cannot be clearly spelled out. For example, as Michael Polanyi has observed, it is impossible to fully describe how to ride a bicycle. Much of what distinguishes expert from advanced novice levels of knowledge of a skill is unarticulable knowledge. In these cases, habit and intuition get at the truth more effectively than more explicit approaches to understanding. The reductionist approach in science runs into similar shortcomings. For example, if a scientifically knowledgeable young man tries to woo a young lady he is in love with by explaining very clearly how she affects his hormones and neurotransmitters, he is likely to be unsuccessful as well as failing to accurately describe the experience of falling in love. It is not always rational to gain every extra bit of information before making a decision. Economists recognize this principle and term it "rational ignorance." The time and energy of gaining additional information past a certain point may not be rewarded with greater effectiveness in making the decision. In most cases, it is more effective to specialize in a few areas and then trust others to gain the necessary information to meet a range of needs that one is not meeting oneself. For example, it is more efficient to specialize in whatever one is interested in and talented in and then trade with others for what one needs. This principle is called "comparative advantage." The same principle is at work in faith in God. We have faith in our mechanic or doctor who is more able than we are, so it is with God. Faith is only as good as the object of one's faith. Faith is not some mysterious power radiating out from the person, but rather simply trusting someone who is more able for a particular task. Artistic expression can be rational since it possesses a systematic structure that can be delineated formally. More importantly, artistic expression can touch the viewers or hearers in a more immediate, intuitive way that more effectively communicates the intended message than more analytic expressions of the same truths. Emotions themselves can be rational since we can judge people's emotional reactions as appropriate or inappropriate, e.g. if someone cries uncontrollably upon tasting a carrot, then we can immediately see that something is amiss in the person's emotional life. As Aristotle observed, the key to a balanced life is to feel the appropriate emotion, to the appropriate degree, and directed toward the appropriate person or object. Emotions motivate people to act, identify what is salient in their surroundings, and coordinates human actions. The last point is made by philosopher Allan Gibbard who argues that if each person acts on the apt emotion as they interact with one another, conflicts will be minimized. For example, if one person acts so that he violates another's rights, the victim will feel and express anger. As the aggressor senses the victim's anger, he will be motivated to remedy the wrong, otherwise there will be more severe actions taken by the victim to redress the wrong. The guilt and shame that the aggressor feels will restore harmony to the relationship. Choosing the appropriate goals in life will make the person's life more fruitful and more satisfying. Choosing goals that are inconsistent with the objective moral order of the universe will lead to frustration and personal injury. Again, rationality is a matter of harmony between the individual, his social and natural environment, and God. Urban Dictionary

A ration is portion of a beverage. Analagous to a sip. Generally reffering to a beer or a soda post dipping (chewing tabacco). Urban Dictionary

Words that are spelled similarly to rational:
rational, national, racional, rationale, notional, ration, irrational, optional, atonal, regional, relational, retinal, factional, rations, matinal, fractional, rationed, rotational, patronal, motional, matronal, creational, tractional, stational, pactional, gyrational, durational, nacional, ovational, rationals, reactional, actional.

Words that are triggered by (strongly associated with) the word rational:
irrationality, irrational, numerator, denominator, emotive, rationally, rationality, tester, integers, fractions, algebraic, polynomial, integer, elliptic, transcendental, quadratic, projective, fraction, expectations, equivalence, approximation, numbers, decimal, finite, curve, curves, theorem, explanation, subset, reasoning, logical, functions, ibm, choice, empirical, arguments, function, infinite, root, thinking, choices, expressions, moral, unified, cognitive, argument, equation, therapy, theory, decisions, basis, behavior, mechanics, geometry, formula, proof, algebra, modeling, philosophical, coordinates, utility, agents, reasonable, emotional, dimension, belief, developer, principles, integral, sum, define, roots, soul, linear, inquiry, beliefs, solutions, theories, approach, reason, zero, defined, principle, logic, software, map, theology, relation, understanding, objective, real, values, framework, solution, economics, fundamental, analysis, efficient, mind, sequence.

Words that rhyme with rational:
international, national, irrational, multinational, transnational, passional, supranational, binational, internacional, rotary international, grand national, nationale, internatonal.

Adjectives that are often used to describe rational:
non, near, legal, cognitive, dunamic, empirical, more, new, quasi, intrinsically, private, insensible, soil, thought, climatology, secular, religious, economic, higher, intuitive, traditional, sal, our, sensory, hour, ammoniac, reasonable, conjugal, pre, hyper, neo, objective, plural, scripto.

Nouns that are often described by the adjective rational:
choice, basis, beings, being, approach, thought, explanation, soul, numbers, expectations, mind, theory, analysis, action, nature, behavior, use, thinking, model, creatures, decisions, process, argument, creature, person, order, grounds, knowledge, animal, decision, manner, agents, principles, method, principle, planning, control, discourse, arguments, agent, calculation, policy, function, justification, design, discussion, making, response, understanding, methods, means, treatment, processes, solution, choices, faculty, models, view, inquiry, belief, therapy, plan, functions, behaviour, faculties, will, religion, management, organization, explanations, powers, considerations, actors, judgment, interpretation, persons, individuals, theology, ground, foundation, account, consciousness, reconstruction, strategy, criticism.

Consonant match to rational:
rationale, russian hill.

Words that sound like rational:
rational, rationale, racional, original, irrational, regional, rationally, reginal, rationals, rationing, retinal, rationales, originel, irracional, national, nationale, ration, rations, rationalize, originally, originals, rationed, irrationally, reginald, fractional, regionals, runnel, passional, rateable, regionally, rachana, reactional, irrationals, erosional, russian doll, raschel, ravenel, ravenell, vaginal, notional, hashanah, sessional, retinol, regena, ritual, russian, racial, regina, retina, russians, renal, operational, directional, promotional, virginal, correctional, relational, roshan, rotational, motional, frictional, reshuffle, aeration, rhinal, rummel, origine, missional, arenal, recessional, apparitional, ramel, rushen, ratchel, retial, originale, aberrational, creational, rammel, rhatany, ronnel, ranal, attritional, rashful, aration, graduale, versional, rituale, erration, eruptional, rummell, paginal, serotinal, emotional, reasoning, optional, additional, nationals, nationally, freshening, imaginal.