Reasoning: meaning, definitions and examples

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reasoning

[ˈriːzənɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

critical thinking

The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way in order to make a decision or form a conclusion.

Synonyms

logic, rationality, understanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reasoning	Use this word when referring to the process of thinking things through to come to a conclusion or understand something. It often involves forming arguments and considering evidence. Her reasoning was sound, and she convinced everyone that it was the right decision The scientist's reasoning led to a groundbreaking discovery
logic	This word is suited for situations involving strict principles of validity and structured thinking. It is often used in mathematical, philosophical, and computer science contexts. If we apply logic, we can solve this problem step by step The detective used logic to unravel the mystery
rationality	This term is best used when describing behavior or decision-making that is based on reason and facts, often contrasted with emotional thinking. His rationality was questioned when he made an impulsive decision Rationality dictates that we save money for the future
understanding	Use this word when referring to grasping the meaning, significance, or nature of something. It implies empathy and comprehension beyond just logical reasoning. Through understanding, she was able to help her friend during a tough time His understanding of the subject was profound

Examples of usage

Her reasoning for choosing that path was based on thorough research.
I admire the clarity of his reasoning in complex situations.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

argument

The process of forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.

Synonyms

explanation, justification, rationale.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reasoning	Use when discussing the process of thinking about something in a logical way. It refers to the method by which someone approaches a problem or arrives at a conclusion. Her reasoning for choosing that university was based on its strong science program The detective’s reasoning was flawed, leading to the wrong suspect being arrested
rationale	Appropriate for discussing the underlying reasons or principles behind a decision, belief, or action. It’s often more formal and abstract than 'reasoning'. The rationale behind the new policy is to improve efficiency He explained his rationale for choosing this approach at the meeting
justification	Best used when someone is defending or validating their actions, decisions, or beliefs. It involves providing reasons to show why something is right or necessary. She offered no justification for her sudden departure The company's justification for the budget cuts was the need to save money
explanation	Utilize when providing details that clarify or make something understandable. It’s about breaking down information so that others can comprehend it. The teacher's explanation of the science experiment helped the students understand the concepts better He gave a detailed explanation of how the software works

Examples of usage

His reasoning behind the decision was sound and well-supported.
The jury carefully considered the reasoning presented by both sides.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

explain

To think, understand, and form judgments in a logical way.

Synonyms

analyze, justify, think through.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reasoning	Refers to the process of thinking about something in a logical way, often to come to a conclusion or make a decision. Her reasoning was sound, and it convinced the committee. Good reasoning is key to solving complex problems.
think through	Refers to considering all aspects or consequences of a situation or decision in a detailed manner. Often used informally. Before we move forward, let's think through all the possible outcomes. He didn't think through the ramifications of his actions.
analyze	Used when breaking down information into parts to understand it better or to make a decision. Often applied in scientific, technical, or detailed examination contexts. We need to analyze the data before making a recommendation. He analyzed the financial reports to identify any discrepancies.
justify	Used when providing reasons or arguments to show that a certain decision, action, or belief is right or reasonable. Often used defensively. She couldn't justify her decision to skip the meeting. The need to justify the expenses led to a detailed budget report.

Examples of usage

She reasoned that it was not worth the risk.
He reasoned out the solution to the problem.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'raison' meaning 'reason' or 'cause'.
It traces back to the Latin 'ratio', which means both 'reason' and 'calculation'.
In Middle English, it evolved to its current form, emphasizing the act of thinking.

Science

Reasoning is often categorized into two types: inductive (drawing general conclusions from specific examples) and deductive (applying general principles to specific cases).
Cognitive science studies how reasoning works in the brain, revealing that it's linked to decision-making processes.
Research shows that people can be influenced by emotions when reasoning, leading to biased conclusions.

Philosophy

Philosophers like Aristotle have greatly influenced the study of reasoning, outlining syllogisms, which are logical arguments that use deductive reasoning.
The law of non-contradiction states that contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time, a key principle in reasoning.
The Socratic method, a form of questioning developed by Socrates, emphasizes reasoning through dialogue to uncover truths.

Education

Critical thinking skills, which include reasoning, are essential for effective problem-solving and decision-making in education.
Educational systems often emphasize reasoning through the study of logic, philosophy, and mathematics.
Teaching strategies like debate and discussion encourage students to develop their reasoning abilities.

Cognitive Psychology

Psychologists explore how reasoning is affected by cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, which leads individuals to favor information that supports their beliefs.
The dual-process theory suggests there are two systems for reasoning: one fast and intuitive, the other slow and deliberate.
Research indicates that reasoning can be improved with practice and exposure to diverse perspectives.

Translations

Translations of the word "reasoning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 raciocínio

🇮🇳 तर्क

🇩🇪 Denkvermögen

🇮🇩 penalaran

🇺🇦 міркування

🇵🇱 rozumowanie

🇯🇵 推論 (すいろん)

🇫🇷 raisonnement

🇪🇸 razonamiento

🇹🇷 akıl yürütme

🇰🇷 추론 (chulon)

🇸🇦 تفكير

🇨🇿 uvažování

🇸🇰 uvažovanie

🇨🇳 推理 (tuīlǐ)

🇸🇮 razmišljanje

🇮🇸 röksemdafærsla

🇰🇿 ойлау

🇬🇪 აზროვნება

🇦🇿 məntiq

🇲🇽 razonamiento

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,721, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3718 aimed
3719 beneficial
3720 visitors
3721 reasoning
3722 shadow
3723 lime
3724 technological
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