Irrationality: meaning, definitions and examples

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irrationality

[ɪˌræʃ.əˈnæl.ɪ.ti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in psychology

The quality of being irrational; lacking the power of reasoning; contrary to reason; illogical.

Synonyms

illogical, unreasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
irrationality	This word is best used when describing thoughts, actions, or beliefs that lack reason or logical basis. It often implies a departure from normal or expected rational thinking. The sheer irrationality of his fears made them difficult to understand. Her decision was driven by pure irrationality rather than any sensible reasoning.
illogical	Use this word when referring to something that does not follow a logical sequence or common sense. Typically, it highlights a contradiction in reasoning or argument. It is illogical to assume that just because it rained today, it will rain every day. His illogical argument fell apart under scrutiny.
unreasonable	This word is used to describe demands, expectations, or behaviors that are not fair or sensible. It implies a lack of balance or proportion, often seen as excessive or unfair. His unreasonable demands made it difficult for the team to work with him. Expecting perfect weather on your wedding day is completely unreasonable.

Word

Description / Examples

irrationality

This word is best used when describing thoughts, actions, or beliefs that lack reason or logical basis. It often implies a departure from normal or expected rational thinking.

The sheer irrationality of his fears made them difficult to understand.
Her decision was driven by pure irrationality rather than any sensible reasoning.

illogical

Use this word when referring to something that does not follow a logical sequence or common sense. Typically, it highlights a contradiction in reasoning or argument.

It is illogical to assume that just because it rained today, it will rain every day.
His illogical argument fell apart under scrutiny.

unreasonable

This word is used to describe demands, expectations, or behaviors that are not fair or sensible. It implies a lack of balance or proportion, often seen as excessive or unfair.

His unreasonable demands made it difficult for the team to work with him.
Expecting perfect weather on your wedding day is completely unreasonable.

Examples of usage

Her irrationality made it difficult to have a logical conversation with her.
His irrationality led to impulsive decision-making.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in mathematics

The quality of being irrational; a number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, such as the square root of 2.

Synonyms

non-rational, transcendental.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
irrationality	This term is used to describe situations or behaviors that lack reasoning or logic. It often conveys a sense of chaos or disorder. His fear of water is pure irrationality The sudden panic in the meeting was just a moment of irrationality
transcendental	This word describes something that goes beyond ordinary experience or understanding, often related to philosophy, spirituality, or mathematics. It carries a sense of being elevated or profound. The beauty of the forest at dawn was a transcendental experience His ideas were so advanced that they seemed almost transcendental
non-rational	This term is used in a more neutral or clinical sense to describe things that do not involve or are not based on rational thought. It is more academic and less emotionally charged. Some aspects of human psychology are non-rational Artistic inspiration often comes from a non-rational place

Word

Description / Examples

irrationality

This term is used to describe situations or behaviors that lack reasoning or logic. It often conveys a sense of chaos or disorder.

His fear of water is pure irrationality
The sudden panic in the meeting was just a moment of irrationality

transcendental

This word describes something that goes beyond ordinary experience or understanding, often related to philosophy, spirituality, or mathematics. It carries a sense of being elevated or profound.

The beauty of the forest at dawn was a transcendental experience
His ideas were so advanced that they seemed almost transcendental

non-rational

This term is used in a more neutral or clinical sense to describe things that do not involve or are not based on rational thought. It is more academic and less emotionally charged.

Some aspects of human psychology are non-rational
Artistic inspiration often comes from a non-rational place

Examples of usage

The number pi is an example of irrationality in mathematics.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Human behavior often defies logic, leading psychologists to study how emotions and biases influence decisions.
The Dunning-Kruger effect shows that people with less knowledge about a topic may think they know more than they do, leading to seemingly irrational choices.
Cognitive dissonance occurs when people hold two conflicting beliefs, causing them to act in ways that may seem irrational.

Philosophy

Philosophers like David Hume argued that human reasoning is often guided by feelings rather than rational thought.
Karl Popper suggested that science progresses through irrational leaps, where theories begin as unprovable hypotheses before being tested.
Existentialists challenge traditional logic, asserting that human existence contains inherent absurdities.

Mathematics

In mathematics, 'irrational numbers' like the square root of 2 cannot be expressed as simple fractions, illustrating a form of irrationality in numbers.
The concept of infinite series often leads to conclusions that challenge intuitive thinking, revealing a different kind of irrationality.
Game theory shows how people's choices in competitive situations can lead to irrational group outcomes, known as the 'prisoner's dilemma.'

History

Throughout history, many leaders have made emotionally charged decisions that appeared irrational but were deeply influenced by cultural narratives.
The Salem witch trials exemplified collective irrationality, where fear and superstition overtook logical thinking, leading to tragic consequences.
Events like stock market crashes often showcase how investor panic can result in irrational decision-making, ignoring fundamental economic principles.

Pop Culture

Movies often portray characters making irrational choices under pressure, highlighting the struggle between emotion and reason.
Reality TV shows frequently amplify irrational behavior for entertainment, revealing how people act when faced with extreme situations.
Literature is filled with irrational characters, representing the complexity of human motivations and the unpredictability of behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "irrationality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irracionalidade

🇮🇳 अतार्किकता

🇩🇪 Irrationalität

🇮🇩 irasionalitas

🇺🇦 нераціональність

🇵🇱 irracjonalność

🇯🇵 不合理

🇫🇷 irrationalité

🇪🇸 irracionalidad

🇹🇷 irrasyonellik

🇰🇷 비합리성

🇸🇦 اللاعقلانية

🇨🇿 iracionalita

🇸🇰 iracionalita

🇨🇳 非理性

🇸🇮 iracionalnost

🇮🇸 óraunsæi

🇰🇿 иррационалдық

🇬🇪 ირაციონალობა

🇦🇿 irrasyonalizm

🇲🇽 irracionalidad

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,927, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22924 militate
22925 placard
22926 swerved
22927 irrationality
22928 strapping
22929 locational
22930 domino
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