Syn. — Sane; sound; intelligent; reasonable; sensible; wise; discreet; judicious. — Rational, reasonable. Rational has reference to reason as a faculty of the mind, and is opposed to traditional; as, a rational being, a rational state of mind, rational views, etc. In these cases the speculative reason is more particularly, referred to. Reasonable has reference to the exercise of this faculty for practical purposes, and means, governed or directed by reason; as, reasonable prospect of success. What higher in her society thou find'st Attractive, human, rational, love still. Milton. A law may be reasonable in itself, although a man does not allow it, or does not know the reason of the lawgivers. Swift.
RATIONAL
Ra"tion*al, n.
Defn: A rational being. Young.
RATIONALE Ra`tion*a"le, n. Etym: [L. rationalis, neut. rationale. See Rational, a.]
Defn: An explanation or exposition of the principles of some opinion, action, hypothesis, phenomenon, or like; also, the principles themselves.
RATIONALISM
Ra"tion*al*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rationalisme.]
1. (Theol.)
Defn: The doctrine or system of those who deduce their religious opinions from reason or the understanding, as distinct from, or opposed to, revelation.
2. (Philos.)
Defn: The system that makes rational power the ultimate test of truth; — opposed to sensualism, or sensationalism, and empiricism. Fleming.