fornuft

Fornuft is a term used in Norwegian and in closely related Scandinavian languages (Danish fornuft, Swedish förnuft) that means reason, good sense, or rational thinking. It refers to the faculty of rational thought and prudent judgement, and it is commonly used to describe the ability to think and decide in a logical and measured way. In everyday language, people speak of using fornuft, as in choosing actions that are sensible or well-considered.

In philosophy, cognitive science, and ordinary discourse, fornuft denotes the capacity to form beliefs, draw inferences, and plan actions based on evidence and reasoning. It is often discussed in relation to how people weigh alternatives, avoid error, and align conduct with principles or consequences. The term is frequently contrasted with emotion, impulse, or superstition in cultural debates about decision-making, policy, and ethics.

Etymologically, fornuft has cognate forms across Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, reflecting common Germanic roots. The word represents a long-standing concept in these languages: the idea that human judgment should be guided by rational consideration rather than raw impulse. In modern usage, fornuft remains a stable, neutral descriptor of rational thinking and practical wisdom, applicable in both everyday speech and scholarly contexts. See also fornuft’s cross-linguistic equivalents and related terms such as rasjonalitet and logik.