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The history of reason, rationality and rules of argument
 
  There are few words more quoted in the contemporary social sciences of economics, philosophy and behavioral science than the word "rational".  
  The concept of "rational behaviour" underpins many of the major theories associated with contemporary economic prediction and modeling. Similarly, rationality is seen as an essential component to coherent workable societies.  
  At this point, we neither seek to discuss or debate those theories that rely upon adequate definition of the word rational, or associated words. What we seek is a better understanding of the family history of the word rationality and its associated words- what it originally meant, where did it come from?  
2.13.1 The origin of reason
  The words rational, rationality and rationalism have their heritage of meaning from the English word reason. Let us then begin with an understanding of this word.  
  The English word comes from Medieval English (res(o)un), reson, reisun and the Old French word raison which are all translations from the original Latin stem reri meaning "think, reckon". Hence, reason is by birth of meaning, is also related to the development of the word rate and ratify.  
  reri (the origin of reason) by definition is associated with two concepts that initially appear similar, but on closer investigation are quite distinct. Thinking is in common sense terms a summary of the general processes of cognitive thought, normally associated with just human beings, but equally applicable to all animals with brain tissue and nervous systems.  
  Reckoning on the other hand is a specific cognitive process involving judgment and calculation, usually based around some formal system of measure. Therefore, we see in the origins of the word reason a mixture of two primary meanings at once general and formal. It should not be surprising then that the development of meanings attached to the word reason have continued to mix both general and formal definitions to one word, depending on circumstance, intent and in many cases convenience.  
  Listed below are a summary of the significant definitions attached to the word reason since its adoption into Old English at the beginning of the 13th to 14th century:  
  A ground, or cause of, or for, something (1400's 1500's)  
  A fact or circumstance forming, or alleged as forming, a ground or motive leading, or sufficient to lead, a person to adopt or reject some course of action or procedure, belief (1400's to 1500's)  
  A fact, procedure, or state of things in some way dependent upon human action or feeling (1500's, 1600's)  
  That intellectual power or faculty (usually regarded as characteristic of mankind, but sometimes also attributed to the lower animals) which is ordinarily employed in adapting thought or action to some end; the guiding principle of the human mind in the process of thinking (1500's, 1600's)  
  To think in a connected, sensible, or logical manner, to employ the faculty of reason in forming conclusions (1593).  
  A statement of some fact (real or alleged) employed as an argument to justify or condemn some act, prove or disprove some assertion, idea, or belief (1600).  
  To argue, discourse, converse, talk (1667)  
  Of a fact, event, or thing not dependent on human agency (1700's)  
  (logic) One of the premises in an argument; especially the minor premise when placed after the conclusion (1826)  
2.13.2 The battle for reason
  It should not be surprising given our understanding of the family heritage of the word reason that so many and varied definitions of the word should exist. From its very birth, the word has remained both general and at once specific and formal.  
  This has not only resulted in the word suffering from a chronic lack of clarity and consistency of meaning, but also at the same time made the word highly attractive for incorporation into philosophical ideologies.  
  In looking at the list of historical meanings attached to the word, we see the origins of reason positioned in fairly general and liberal terms. In effect, we see reason meaning the outline and discussion of cause, without need of great formality.  
  However, by the late 16th and early 17th Century, reason quickly developed into a word implying formal systems of argument and thought processes. Suddenly reason, no longer meant thinking and reckoning, but a formal system of thinking and reckoning.  
  By the mid 17th Century, reasoning took on the added meaning as a formal system of proof of thinking and reckoning. No longer was the act of following a certain system or procedure of thinking and/or reckoning sufficient, proof is also required.  
  Finally, we see reason culminating in the 19th Century with reason becoming a term associated with the formal system of argument called logic.  
  By this stage, reason now is a word associated and entrapped by the formal system of argument and proof called Logic. Reason no longer can stand on its own. It is a word conquered by the forces of logic. Free thought is not the same as reason any more. Reason is a formal system of thought and reckoning associated with logic. Nor can the word reason be associated with common sense as it is now clearly shown that the word does not rely on definition similar to common sense.  
2.13.3 The definition of rational
  All systems of classification have rules. All strong systems of classification have strong, simple interlinking rules, such as rules of government, rules of the road, rules of law, rules of physics, rules of logic.  
  The strength, simplicity, universal application and inter linkage all contribute to the strength of each individual rule system.  
  The American Constitution of Government is one example, the Roman Christian Canon Law and the Ten Commandments are other good examples.  
2.13.4 All systems of rules begin with fundamental ideas
  The word is derived from Late Medieval English. The word originates from the Latin root rationalis, from the Latin word ratio. Historical definitions include:  
  Based on, derived from reason or reasoning (1531)  
  (mathematics) Applied to quantities or ratios which can be expressed without the use of radical signs (1570)  
  Of, pertaining or relating to reason. (1601)  
  Agreeable to reason; reasonable, sensible; not foolish, extravagant or absurd (1601)  
  Having the faculty of reasoning; endowed with reason. (1632)  
  Exercising one's reason in a proper manner (1632)  
  Having sound judgment, sensible, sane (1632)  
  Rational originally developed as an adjective, describing the quality of persons or things reflecting the nature of reason in its formal sense. later, it developed (as you can see) as a reinforcement to the selling of reason as the only system of thought and reckoning.  
  Therefore, not to follow reason is to be unreasonable, not to follow rationalism is to be irrational. Given reason and rationalism are now integrated into the bi-valent system of thinking, multi-valent by definition is classified as unreasonable and irrational. Thus the contemporary meanings and usage of reason and rationale significantly strengthen the bivalent (black or white) approach.  
     
 
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