Illogical vs. Irrational — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 29, 2023
Illogical refers to something not following logical reasoning, whereas irrational implies actions or thoughts not based on reason or clear thinking.
Difference Between Illogical and Irrational
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Illogical pertains to a breakdown in logical structure or argument. An illogical statement fails to follow the principles of logical reasoning, such as making a conclusion that doesn't follow from the premises. For example, "All fruits grow on trees; tomatoes are a fruit; therefore, tomatoes grow on the ground" is illogical because the conclusion is inconsistent with one of the premises.
Irrationality goes beyond faulty reasoning to encompass actions, decisions, or beliefs that defy reason or objective judgment. When someone acts on emotions, superstitions, or without consideration of evidence, they're being irrational. For instance, refusing to step on sidewalk cracks out of a belief that it will cause bad luck is irrational because it lacks a basis in reason.
An illogical argument can be a product of poor understanding or a lapse in reasoning. It doesn't necessarily mean that the person making the argument is always irrational; they may simply have made a mistake in their reasoning process. Illogicality is more about the structure and coherence of reasoning.
Irrational behavior, on the other hand, often involves emotional responses or deep-seated biases. It's possible for an individual to present a logically consistent argument yet still hold irrational beliefs. Irrationality is linked to the psychological state or the thought process behind the reasoning.
It is essential to note that illogicality is often specific to individual arguments or statements, whereas irrationality can be a broader characteristic of a person's overall behavior or belief system. Both terms imply a departure from reasoned thought, but they occur in different contexts and at different scales.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Logical inconsistency.
Lack of reason or sound judgment.
Scope
Usually applies to specific arguments.
Can describe overall behavior or beliefs.
Origin
Often due to a reasoning error.
May arise from emotions or biases.
Field of Relevance
Primarily in formal logic and reasoning.
Psychological, behavioral, and emotional.
Correction
Can be corrected by fixing reasoning.
May require addressing underlying causes.
Compare with Definitions
Illogical
Contrary to rules of logic.
His conclusion was illogical given the evidence.
Irrational
Lacking sound judgment.
Investing all his money in one stock was irrational.
Illogical
Lacking reasonable argumentation.
The plot of the movie was illogical.
Irrational
Not based on reason.
His fear of clouds was irrational.
Illogical
Flawed reasoning.
Their illogical reasoning led to a flawed experiment design.
Irrational
Driven by emotion, not sense.
Panic can cause people to act irrationally.
Illogical
Inconsistent with clear thinking.
It's illogical to expect different results from the same action.
Irrational
Defying logical explanation.
She made an irrational decision to walk out.
Illogical
Not making sense.
An illogical response to a simple question baffled everyone.
Irrational
Not endowed with reason.
Illogical
Contradicting or disregarding the principles of logic.
Irrational
Affected by loss of usual or normal mental clarity; incoherent, as from shock.
Illogical
Without logic; senseless.
Irrational
Marked by a lack of accord with reason or sound judgment
An irrational dislike.
Illogical
Contrary to logic; lacking sense or sound reasoning.
I received an illogical reply and that left me standing there feeling confused.
Irrational
Being a syllable in Greek and Latin prosody whose length does not fit the metric pattern.
Illogical
Ignorant or negligent of the rules of logic or correct reasoning; as, an illogical disputant; contrary of the rules of logic or sound reasoning; as, an illogical inference.
Irrational
Being a metric foot containing such a syllable.
Illogical
Lacking in correct logical relation
Irrational
(Mathematics) Of or relating to an irrational number.
Illogical
Lacking orderly continuity;
A confused set of instructions
A confused dream about the end of the world
Disconnected fragments of a story
Scattered thoughts
Irrational
An irrational number.
Irrational
Not rational; unfounded or nonsensical.
An irrational decision
Irrational
Of a real number, that cannot be written as the ratio of two integers.
The number π is irrational.
Irrational
A real number that can not be expressed as the quotient of two integers, an irrational number.
Irrational
Not rational; void of reason or understanding; as, brutes are irrational animals.
Irrational
Not according to reason; having no rational basis; clearly contrary to reason; easily disproved by reasoning; absurd; - of assertions and beliefs.
It seemed utterly irrational any longer to maintain it.
Irrational
Not capable of being exactly expressed by an integral number, nor by a ratio of integral numbers; surd; - said especially of roots. See Surd.
Irrational
Not consistent with or using reason;
Irrational fears
Irrational animals
Irrational
Real but not expressible as the quotient of two integers;
Irrational numbers
Irrational
Not governed by logic.
Superstitions are often considered irrational beliefs.
Common Curiosities
What's an example of irrational behavior?
Making decisions based on fear without evidence is an example of irrational behavior.
Can someone be rational yet make an illogical statement?
Yes, a rational person can make an illogical statement by mistake.
Are illogical and irrational interchangeable?
No, they refer to different issues: illogical is about faulty reasoning, irrational about lack of reason.
Can a belief be illogical?
A belief can be illogical if it contradicts other beliefs held by the same person logically.
Can an argument be logical but based on irrational beliefs?
Yes, an argument can be internally consistent (logical) but based on irrational premises.
What is the impact of illogical thinking in debate?
Illogical thinking in debate undermines arguments and can lead to faulty conclusions.
What makes a statement illogical?
A statement is illogical if its conclusion doesn't logically follow from its premises.
Is mathematics ever illogical or irrational?
Mathematics follows strict logical rules, so it's neither illogical nor irrational.
How can one fix an illogical argument?
By ensuring the conclusions logically follow from the premises.
Does being emotional always mean being irrational?
No, emotions don't inherently make decisions or beliefs irrational.
Can science be illogical or irrational?
Scientific methods aim to eliminate illogical and irrational elements, but human error can introduce them.
Can someone be trained to be less irrational?
Yes, through critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making training.
Is irrational behavior predictable?
Irrational behavior can sometimes be predicted if underlying emotional patterns are understood.
Is it possible to act irrationally because of illogical thinking?
Yes, illogical thinking can lead to irrational actions if decisions are based on it.
Is illogical the same as untrue?
Not necessarily; an illogical argument can have a true conclusion by accident.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
