Rationality
/ˌræʃəˈnælɪti/noun
The quality or state of being logical, reasonable, and based on reason.
Did you know?Rationality ultimately descends from the same ancient Indo-European root that gave English words like ratio and reason, tying logic to the original act of reckoning and measuring.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reie-
“to count, calculate, reckon”
Latin
Latin
ratiō
“a reckoning, calculation, account; also reason, judgment”
Latin
Latin
ratiōnālis
“of or belonging to reason; capable of reasoning”
Old French
Old French
rationel
“reasonable, rational”
Middle English
English
rational
“reasonable, governed by reason”
Modern English
English
rationality
“the quality or state of being rational”