English Lexicon

Rational Being

/ˈræʃ.ən.əl ˈbiː.ɪŋ/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A being capable of reasoning and understanding, typically referring to humans in philosophical contexts.

    "As a rational being, she made decisions based on logic rather than emotion."
  2. 2

    In philosophical terms, a rational being is often contrasted with non-rational beings, emphasizing the unique cognitive abilities of humans.

    "The debate centered on whether animals could be considered rational beings due to their problem-solving skills."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'rational being' combines the Latin root 'ratio', meaning reason, with the Old English 'beon', meaning to be. Historically, it has evolved through philosophical discourse, particularly in the works of thinkers like Aristotle and Descartes, who emphasized the importance of reason in defining humanity.

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