Non-rational

Quick meaning: Non-rational is an adjective meaning Contrary to reason; lacking an appropriate or sufficient reason; irrational.

Meaning

Contrary to reason; lacking an appropriate or sufficient reason; irrational.

More Meanings

1. Lacking the ability to reason.
2. (often philosophy) Not within the domain of what can be understood or analyzed by reason; outside the competence of the rules of reason.
3. (economics, social sciences, public policy) Not based on one's own interests; inconsistent with utility maximization.

Example Sentences

But what of non-rational beings—the animal or infant-man of attuition?

In the total artistic process the two phases—rational and non-rational, planful and inspirational—may be successive or simultaneous.

Indeed, the tirade against information in effect serves to justify the constriction of the area of rationality and scientific approach, in order to find room for all kinds of non-rational sources of "knowledge."

Although some nonrational elements may be inconsistent with legal ideals, others—emotions and intuitions of certain types, imagination, judgment, rhetorical persuasiveness (considered below)—are fully consistent with those ideals.

Word Forms

• nonrational

Synonyms for non-rational

Depending on context, synonyms include arational, irrational.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include nonrational, unreasoned, irrational, irrationable, illogical, unreasonable.

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