Ratsionaalseks

Ratsionaalseks is an Estonian grammatical form derived from the adjective ratsionaalne, meaning rational. In Estonian, the suffix -seks (translative) marks a change of state; therefore ratsionaalseks expresses becoming rational or being made rational. It appears in sentences like ta muutus ratsionaalseks, meaning "he/she became rational." The form is used primarily in descriptive or literary language and in grammars to illustrate mood and aspect.

In broader discourse, the root concept ties to rationality—the capacity for logical thinking, evidence-based judgment, and goal-directed action. Philosophical and economic theories of rationality explore how agents should reason and decide under uncertainty. A related process in psychology and sociology is rationalization, the act of constructing justifications for actions or beliefs, which can occur to maintain consistency or reduce cognitive dissonance; in Estonian, this is commonly expressed with the verb ratsionaliseerima and noun ratsionaliseerimine.

In usage notes, ratsionaalseks is not a standalone scientific term; it is a grammatical form used to convey a change toward a rational state and is best understood in the context of Estonian morphology and syntax. Related topics include ratsionaalne, ratsionaliseerimine, rationality, and rational choice theory.