English

Noun

arationality ‎(uncountable)

1. (philosophy, sciences) The state or characteristic of being arational, of being outside the domain of reason.
   • 1946, G. A. Borgese, "Literary Criticism in Italy during the Romantic Period," Italica, vol. 23, no. 2, p. 70:

     Croce's early treatise . . . was resolutely grounded in the identification of intuition and expression, of genius and taste, and in the amorality and arationality of all art.

   • 1962, L. S. Lewis and J. Lopreato, "Arationality, Ignorance, and Perceived Danger in Medical Practices," American Sociological Review, vol. 27, no. 4, p. 513:

     Thus there appears to be very little doubt that arationality is one manifestation of stress which arises when goal-seeking man is confronted with conditions which becloud the outcome of his actions.

   • 2004, David Sosa, "A Big, Good Thing" (review of T.M. Scanlon's What We Owe to Each Other), Noûs, vol. 38, no. 2, p. 366:

     This sort of view contrasts with a more ‘‘Humean’’ account that gives greater weight to the need for, to the relevance of, and to the fundamental arationality of desires. . . . [R]easons cannot by themselves provide adequate motivation for action.

Synonyms

• non-rationality

Translations