Single Idea 22662

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 5. Rationality / a. Rationality]

Full Idea

On the instrumental conception of rationality, it consists in the effective and efficient achievement of goals, ends, and desires. About the goals themselves it has little to say.

Gist of Idea

In the instrumental view of rationality it only concerns means, and not ends

Source

Robert Nozick (The Nature of Rationality [1993], p.64)

Book Reference

Nozick,Robert: 'The Nature of Rationality' [Princeton 1995], p.64


A Reaction

[He quotes Russell 1954 p.viii as expressing this view] A long way from Greek logos, which obviously concerns the rational selection of right ends (for which, presumably, reasons can be given). In practice our ends may never be rational, of course.

Related Idea

Idea 22663 Rationality is normally said to concern either giving reasons, or reliability [Nozick]