Single Idea 22667

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

Full Idea

Rationality involves some degree of self-consciousness. Not only reasons are evaluated, but also the processes by which information arrives, is stored, and recalled.

Gist of Idea

Rationality needs some self-consciousness, to also evaluate how we acquired our reasons

Source

Robert Nozick (The Nature of Rationality [1993], p.74)

Book Reference

Nozick,Robert: 'The Nature of Rationality' [Princeton 1995], p.74


A Reaction

I defend the idea that animals have a degree of rationality, because they can make sensible judgements, but I cannot deny this idea. Rationality comes in degrees, and second-level thought is a huge leap forward in degree.