Rationality can be defined as the ability to make sound decisions depending on one’s beliefs. Rationality relates what is true and what actions to take. It provides bases for actions taken by a person (Hale, 24). Human rationality can be identified by the logic deployed in their judgment. A rational judgment can be characterized by;
Adaptive behavioral actions
Judicious decision making
Efficient behavioral regulation
Realistic goal prioritization
Proper belief formation
Reflectivity
If human beings show these characteristics, it implies that they are rational.
Adaptive behavioral actions
Human beings’ behaviors changes in accordance to age, environment or other situations. Young adults are usually radical in terms of behaviors. Most of youths are curios hence most of their actions are mostly out of curiosity (Vyacheslav, Tatiana, et al). The young humans are also hyper. Most of their time is spent socializing and exploring their location. Entertainments are mostly targeted to the young humans. Old human beings on the other side are calm. They act more mature and wisely as they have had lots of experiences. They spend most of their time trying to make a life for their young ones. The behavior variation between old and young human beings can be only explained as rational human beings also change their behavior with respect to different occasions. For instance, during an official occasion, human will behave differently from a casual occasion (Hale, 34). Also depending on the mood and emotions of human beings will behave accordingly. These characteristic of human beings show that they are rational.
Judicious decision making
Before taking an action, human beings usually engage their minds to gauge the effects of the action to come up with the best decision. The best decision is the one that is evaluated with respect to past experiences and knowledge about the situation at hand (Vyacheslav, Tatiana, et al). For instance, before treating a patient, a doctor will examine the symptoms the patient is experiencing. He will also take tests so as to equip himself with more information about the condition of the patient so as to be sure of what illness the patient suffers from. The doctor will again have to evaluate the disease cause so as to prescribe the right medication (Hale, 36). According to the intensity of the illness he will also administer the right prescription with respect to amount to be taken and the strength of the medication. The process of treatment is based on the right judgment with aid of experience and knowledge. This shows that humans make their decisions based on their judgment.
Realistic goal prioritization
Humans always set their goals putting into consideration the resources they have. The priority of the goals depends on the needs of a person. Their goals are set chronologically such that they are in order of needs of a person. For instance, when a person is budgeting for his income, their first goal will be the most basic one. Other wants are later satisfied only if the income remains after satisfying the basic ones (Vyacheslav, Tatiana, et al). This is done in a bid to avoid running into avoidable sufferings. This shows that humans are rational in their goal setting.
Proper belief formation
When humans are practicing a certain belief, it must have logical evidence supporting it. Past experience also form a base for which the belief is founded on. For instance, historians believe that human beings evolved from apes. They claim that evolution was a chronological and gradual process (Vyacheslav, Tatiana, et al). This belief is supported by existence of artifacts and bones which are dated to have existed long time ago. Also religious beliefs are supported by heavy evidence which is a guide of the religion.
Reflectivity
Reflectivity arises in a situation where one is faced in a dilemma between beliefs. The rational aspect comes into being as human will have to make a decision. In given circumstances, human beings find some beliefs better than others and therefore they have to forego one to ensure a rational decision (Vyacheslav, Tatiana, et al). For instance, killing in most religious groups and societies is considered wrong. In fact, in most communities murder is a crime with some serious charges. In a situation where one have to kill in order to save more lives, like in the case of a soldier who has to kill two terrorists who threatens lives of many other people, human beings chooses to kill. In most constitutions, killing to save more lives is allowed which further points out human rationality (Hale, 30). This is a rational decision at the end of it. It also shows that human being can solve dilemmas in their life more rationally since they are rational animals.
Having considered all these characteristics and how they fit in humans activities, the only implication is that human beings are rational. However, there are instances where human beings are irrational. This instance is in most cases influenced by some unavoidable factors. Rationality in most cases should be the driving factor for emotions. There are situations when emotions clog the rationality of human beings. For instance when human being kills out of anger does not mean that humans are irrational. It only implies that rationality is limited to some situations.
Works Cited
Vyacheslav, Tatiana, et al. Adaptive rationality in the evolutionary and behavioral perspectives.
Rationalities’. Vol 2, (2013).
Hale. Are we rational animals? Vol 8, (2016). 20-40.
