rationaleren

Rationaleren is a neologism used in some discussions of philosophy, cognitive science, and related fields to refer to the concept or practice of making reasoning and decision-making more rational. It is not a universally defined term in standard reference works, and its precise meaning can vary with the author or context. In general, rationaleren is described as a process or ideal rather than a fixed state, emphasizing continual improvement toward more coherent, evidence-based thinking.

Etymology and usage are informal: the form appears to be a compound built from rational with a suffix that evokes comparatives in several Germanic languages, signaling “more rational” or “becoming more rational.” As such, rationaleren is typically deployed to discuss methods, norms, or designs that push reasoning toward greater consistency, clarity, and alignment with available evidence. The emphasis can shift between normative ideals and practical procedures.

Applications of the concept span multiple domains. In philosophy and ethics, rationaleren may denote normative ideals for decision procedures that require explicit models, probabilistic reasoning, and mitigation of biases. In artificial intelligence and computational social science, it could describe systems or protocols aimed at maximizing rational outcomes under stated constraints, potentially incorporating Bayesian updating, formal logic, or decision-theoretic frameworks.

Limitations and debates surround the term. A central issue is defining what counts as rational in a given domain, especially in light of bounded rationality, uncertainty, and value pluralism. Critics argue that a sole focus on rationality can overlook ethical, emotional, or social considerations, while proponents see rationaleren as a pragmatic path to more reliable judgments and policies.

See also: rationality, rationalization, bounded rationality, decision theory.