English

Adjective

arational ‎(comparative more arational, superlative most arational)

1. (chiefly philosophy) Not within the domain of what can be understood or analyzed by reason; not rational, outside the competence of the rules of reason. [from 20th c.]
   • 1938, Marten Ten Hoor, "The Philistines over Philosophy," The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 35, no. 20, p. 542:

     If the end-product of a man's philosophizing about the nature of the cosmos is the ultimate, arational matter, this will affect his moral opinion of the cosmos.

   • 1974, Ervin Laszlo, "Why Should I Believe in Science?" Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, vol. 34, no. 4, p. 484:

     Scientific knowledge is conceptual, rational, and testable. Mystical knowledge is usually aconceptual, arational, and does not lend itself to interpersonal testing.

   • 1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest, Abacus 2013, p. 146:

     Regarded with the objectivity of hindsight, the illusion appears arational, almost fantastic: it would be like being able both to lie and to trust other people at the same time.

   • 2001, Ronald De Sousa, "Moral Emotions," Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, vol. 4, no. 2, p. 109:

     On the first view, emotions are purely biological phenomena. . . . They are arational and amoral, like other natural bodily functions.

Synonyms

• non-rational

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