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[[File:Cerebellum.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The human [[brain]] is the most complex physical entity in the universe.<ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Human Body: God's Masterpiece]</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Enigmatic Human Brain] by Wallace G. Smith</ref><ref>[http://www.creationmoments.com/radio/transcripts/most-complex-structure The Most Complex Structure], Creation Moments</ref>]]

[[File:Cerebellum.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The human [[brain]] is the most complex physical entity in the universe.<ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Human Body: God's Masterpiece]</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Enigmatic Human Brain] by Wallace G. Smith</ref><ref>[http://www.creationmoments.com/radio/transcripts/most-complex-structure The Most Complex Structure], Creation Moments</ref>]]

'''Rationality''' is the property of doing or believing what reason requires. There are two types of rationality:

'''Rationality''' is the property of doing or believing what reason requires. There are two types of rationality:

*'[[Epistemology|Epistemic]] rationality'' is about what we believe, whether our beliefs are rational given the evidence we have available to us. For example, Tom believes his teacher is an adulterer because he read it written on the walls of the school bathroom, and because he doesn't like his teacher. Tom's belief is irrational, because it is based on an unreliable source of knowledge (the bathroom wall) and his own personal dislike

*'[[Epistemology|Epistemic]] rationality'' is about what we believe, whether our beliefs are rational given the evidence we have available to us. For example, Tom believes his teacher is an adulterer because he read it written on the walls of the school bathroom, and because he doesn't like his teacher. Tom's belief is irrational, because it is based on an unreliable source of knowledge (the bathroom wall) and his own personal dislike

*''Instrumental rationality'' is about doing what is sensible given our goals. Tom wants to go to law school one day; but instead of studying he plays computer games. Tom's behavior is not rational, because it undermines the goal he has set for himself. On the other hand, if Tom wants to have a career as a janitor instead of going to law school, then playing computer games is not irrational for him.

*''Instrumental rationality'' is about doing what is sensible given our goals. Tom wants to go to law school one day; but instead of studying he plays computer games. Tom's behavior is not rational, because it undermines the goal he has set for himself. On the other hand, if Tom wants to have a career as a janitor instead of going to law school, then playing computer games is not irrational for him.

== Epistemic rationality ==

== Epistemic rationality ==

[[File:Aristotle.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Aristotle]] is often called the father of logic in the [[West]]. ]]

[[File:Beliefs and knowledge and truths.png|right|thumbnail|400px|A Venn diagram picturing the traditional definition of [[knowledge]] as justified true [[belief]] (That is represented by the yellow circle). ]]

See also: [[Epistemology]]

''See also:'' [[Epistemology]]

Epistemic rationality is about conforming our beliefs to the evidence avaialble. Rationality and truth are not the same thing; if all the evidence supports a falsehood, then it is rational to believe it despite its falsehood. Likewise, something may be true, yet irrational to believe - considering the example above, Tom's belief that his teacher is an adulterer is irrational, since he bases his belief on unreliable evidence; it may well be that his teacher is ''in fact'' an adulterer, but while Tom's belief would then be true, it would still be irrational ''for Tom'', since Tom lacks any good evidence for that belief.

Epistemic rationality is about conforming our beliefs to the evidence avaialble. Rationality and truth are not the same thing; if all the evidence supports a falsehood, then it is rational to believe it despite its falsehood. Likewise, something may be true, yet irrational to believe - considering the example above, Tom's belief that his teacher is an adulterer is irrational, since he bases his belief on unreliable evidence; it may well be that his teacher is ''in fact'' an adulterer, but while Tom's belief would then be true, it would still be irrational ''for Tom'', since Tom lacks any good evidence for that belief.

== How to think more rationally ==

== How to think more rationally ==

 

''See also:'' [[Evidence-based thinking]] and [[Critical thinking]] and [[Scientific method]] and [[Problem solving]] and [[Openness]] and [[Intellectual humility]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] and [[Creativity]] and [[Change management]] and [[Emotional intelligence]] and [[Self-awareness]] and [[Self-regulation]] and [[Metacognition]]

''See also:'' [[Rational thinking]] and [[Evidence-based thinking]] and [[Critical thinking]] and [[Scientific method]] and [[Problem solving]] and [[Openness]] and [[Intellectual humility]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] and [[Creativity]] and [[Change management]] and [[Emotional intelligence]] and [[Self-awareness]] and [[Self-regulation]] and [[Metacognition]]

To think more rationally, use the following practices:

To think more rationally, use the following practices:

'''1.''' Use [[evidence-based thinking]] and [[critical thinking]]

'''1.''' Use [[evidence-based thinking]] and [[critical thinking]]

'''2.''' Use the reasonable person standard used in the field law when engaged in [[decision making]]. "This is a [[common law]] idea, which asks the question of how a reasonable person would have behaved in circumstances similar to those with which the defendant was presented at the time of the alleged negligence."<ref>[https://healys.com/news-events-insights/professional-negligence-and-the-reasonable-person-test#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20common%20law,seek%20the%20opinion%20of%20experts. Professional negligence and the reasonable person test]</ref>

'''2.''' Use the [[Reasonable person standard (law)|reasonable person standard]] used in the field law when engaged in [[decision making]]. "This is a [[common law]] idea, which asks the question of how a reasonable person would have behaved in circumstances similar to those with which the defendant was presented at the time of the alleged negligence."<ref>[https://healys.com/news-events-insights/professional-negligence-and-the-reasonable-person-test#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20common%20law,seek%20the%20opinion%20of%20experts. Professional negligence and the reasonable person test]</ref>

'''3.''' Analyze problems/situations [[logic]]ally. See: [[Problem solving]]

'''3.''' Analyze problems/situations [[logic]]ally when engaged in [[problem solving]]. See: [[Problem solving]]

'''4.''' Questioning your assumptions. See also: [[Openness]] and [[Intellectual humility]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] and [[Creativity]]

'''4.''' Questioning your assumptions. See also: [[Openness]] and [[Intellectual humility]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] and [[Creativity]]

'''5.''' Being open to changing your mind based on new evidence. See: [[Openness]] and [[Intellectual humility]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] and [[Creativity]] and [[Change management]]

'''5.''' Being observant and open to engaging in [[experiment]]ation in order to optimize results. See also: [[Observation skills]] and [[Scientific method]] and [[Deliberate practice]] and [[Comfort zone]] and [[Peak performance]]

 

'''6.''' Being open to changing your mind based on new evidence. See: [[Openness]] and [[Intellectual humility]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] and [[Creativity]] and [[Change management]]

 

'''7.''' Seeking out information from diverse perspectives. See also: [[Openness]] and [[Creativity]] and [[Innovation]]

'''6.''' Seeking out information from diverse perspectives. See also: [[Openness]] and [[Creativity]]

'''8.''' Focus on actively identifying and managing your emotions. Avoiding impulsive judgments based solely on feelings. See: [[Emotional intelligence]] and [[Self-awareness]] and [[Self-regulation]] and [[Metacognition]]

'''7.''' Focus on actively identifying and managing your emotions. Avoiding impulsive judgments based solely on feelings. See: [[Emotional intelligence]] and [[Self-awareness]] and [[Self-regulation]] and [[Metacognition]]

'''9.''' [[Planning|Plan]] and organize your life/activities to a reasonable degree allowing for unforeseeable circumstances, common sense flexibility/adaptability and God's will. [[Prioritization|Prioritize]] your activities in a way to best optimize your future. Make the best use of the resources you have available. See: [[Planning]] and and [[Organizational skills]] and [[Time management]] and [[Forecasting]] and [[Creativity]] and [[Problem solving]] and [[Problem solving#Problem solving and resourcefulness|Resourcefulness]]

== Quote ==

== Quote ==

== Book ==

== Book ==

*''The Thinker's Way : 8 Steps to a Richer Life'' by John Chafee. The Thinker's Way : 8 Steps to a Richer Life

*''The Thinker's Way: 8 Steps to a Richer Life'' by John Chafee. The Thinker's Way : 8 Steps to a Richer Life

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Logic]]

*[[Logic]]

*[[Critical thinking]]

*[[Critical thinking]]

Opposite:

Opposite: