Single Idea 11067

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

Full Idea

A rational animal is one that is a normative-reflective possessor of the concepts of necessity, certainty and unconditional obligation.

Gist of Idea

Rational animals have a normative concept of necessity

Source

Robert Hanna (Rationality and Logic [2006], 4.0)

Book Reference

Hanna,Robert: 'Rationality and Logic' [MIT 2006], p.77


A Reaction

The addition of obligation shows the Kantian roots of this. It isn't enough just to possess a few concepts. You wouldn't count as rational if you didn't desire truth, as well as understanding it. Robots be warned.