It is apparent that there is much debate over whether or not "rationality" does or even can exist as mankind would attempt to define it. Many have applied various theories of rationality (Bound rationality, Rational Choice theory, etc.) in an attempt to explain just how or what rationality is.
In some fields of study (philosophy, psychology) something may be deemed "rational" if it is valid or logical, while in other fields (economics, sociology) something may be rational if it is considered to be optimal in the advancing to ones goals. The problem of course is that one can find themselves contradicting these attempts at defining rationality. (Wikipedia, Rationality)
Rationality seems dependent upon reason, or at least it is closely related to it. Rationalism is defined as a philosophical position, theory, or view that reason is the source of knowledge in contrast to the experience of the senses (Wikipedia). As for me, rationality is dependent upon truth, and this may be the most important argument. Of course the notion of truth (what is it, where does truth come from) brings out a whole other can of worms. But that is another discussion for another time.
I agree with the thought of Herbert Simon in his work, Models of my life. He believes that most people are only partly rational that they are irrational and led by emotion through most of their actions. I have alsways liked the notion of the Sophists with regards to reality. Is there really a reality? Many of them debated that there is not, that there is only ones perceptions. We recognize of course that societies establish norms that become part of what we call reality, but individual to individual there may be no pure reality, only perception.
It is as if we all have lenses, crafted by our individual life experiences, through which we perceive the world around us. Our own lenses, and therefore our perceptions, change with the edition of experiences. Just as these lenses are so incredibly unique, so too are our perceptions.
Would this notion of perspective and reality not greatly affect rationality?
Keep that thought in mind next time you disagree with someone, especially if it is me; we know I’m never wrong.
It is true Jared that your level of rational/irrational being surpasses that of the average human. And it is hard for me to say this but you are right, most of the time. Was that a rational/irrational thought.... hmmmm
ReplyDeletelove ya!
will you write my papers? perceptions of truth and reality HAVE to vary person to person, otherwise there would be no different personalities or no depiction of right and wrong. That is why people are in jail, and some are senators... or maybe they go hand in hand, but for my own naivete I'll choose to think they are very different.
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking material here, Jared! Nice.