Logic vs. Rational — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
"Logic" refers to a system of reasoning, governed by rules that allow one to deduce valid conclusions from given premises. "Rational" is an adjective describing thought processes that are logical, reasonable, or sensible.
Difference Between Logic and Rational
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Logic" is a term that encapsulates the principles and methods of reasoning, often formalized through rules and laws like modus ponens or syllogisms. It's an abstract framework used to analyze arguments and derive conclusions. "Rational," on the other hand, is an adjective used to describe actions, decisions, or thinking processes that are guided by logic or reason. To be rational is to utilize logic effectively in decision-making or problem-solving.
Grammatically, "logic" is a noun and is often used to describe a systematic framework of reasoning. For example, "The logic behind his decision was flawed." "Rational" is an adjective and commonly qualifies nouns to indicate they conform to the principles of logic. For example, "She made a rational choice."
The origins of the terms are also worth noting. "Logic" derives from the Greek word "logos," which broadly translates to reason, word, or discourse. It has a long history in the philosophy of Aristotle and formal logic disciplines. "Rational" comes from the Latin word "rationalis," meaning reasonable or logical. It's widely used in common language, but it also has specific meanings in various academic disciplines like economics and philosophy.
"Logic" is more often associated with formal systems and can even be mathematical, as in the case of symbolic logic or Boolean logic. It can be applied in various disciplines like computer science, law, and philosophy. "Rational," on the other hand, is a more general term and is often used to describe everyday thought processes and decisions. It can also be quantified in disciplines like psychology and economics to measure how well individuals make choices that maximize their well-being based on available information.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective
ADVERTISEMENT
Field of Use
Philosophy, Mathematics
Psychology, Economics
Nature
Framework
Quality
Specificity
More specific
More general
Common Usage
"Flawed logic"
"Rational choice"
Compare with Definitions
Logic
A particular method or reasoning or argumentation.
The logic of your argument is flawed.
Rational
Capable of sound judgment.
The jury needs to be rational.
Logic
Logic (from Greek: λογική, logikḗ, 'possessed of reason, intellectual, dialectical, argumentative') is the systematic study of valid rules of inference, i.e. the relations that lead to the acceptance of one proposition (the conclusion) on the basis of a set of other propositions (premises).
Rational
Based on reasoning or logic.
It was a rational decision.
Logic
The study of principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content, and of method and validity in deductive reasoning.
Rational
In accordance with the principles of logic.
The conclusion was rational based on the evidence.
Logic
A system of reasoning
Aristotle's logic.
Rational
Sane or sensible.
Despite the panic, he remained rational.
Logic
A mode of reasoning
By that logic, we should sell the company tomorrow.
Rational
Having or exercising the ability to reason.
Logic
The formal, guiding principles of a discipline, school, or science.
Rational
Consistent with or based on reason or good judgment; logical or sensible
Rational decisions.
Logic
Valid reasoning
Your paper lacks the logic to prove your thesis.
Rational
Of sound mind; sane
Wondered if the eccentric neighbor was not completely rational.
Logic
The relationship between elements and between an element and the whole in a set of objects, individuals, principles, or events
There's a certain logic to the motion of rush-hour traffic.
Rational
(Mathematics) Capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers.
Logic
The nonarithmetic operations performed by a computer, such as sorting, comparing, and matching, that involve yes-no decisions.
Rational
A rational number.
Logic
Computer circuitry.
Rational
Capable of reasoning.
Man is a rational creature.
Logic
Graphic representation of computer circuitry.
Rational
Logically sound; not self-contradictory or otherwise absurd.
His statements were quite rational.
Logic
Logical
Rational
(of a person or personal characteristics) Healthy or balanced intellectually; exhibiting reasonableness.
Rational conduct
Logic
(uncountable) A method of human thought that involves thinking in a linear, step-by-step manner about how a problem can be solved. Logic is the basis of many principles including the scientific method.
Rational
Of a number, capable of being expressed as the ratio of two integers.
¾ is a rational number, but √2 is an irrational number.
Logic
The study of the principles and criteria of valid inference and demonstration.
Rational
Of an algebraic expression, capable of being expressed as the ratio of two polynomials.
Logic
The mathematical study of relationships between rigorously defined concepts and of mathematical proof of statements.
Rational
(chemistry) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of a compound; graphic; said of formulae.
Logic
A formal or informal language together with a deductive system or a model-theoretic semantics.
Rational
(physics) Expressing a physical object.
A rational table is physical, a written table is neither.
Logic
(uncountable) Any system of thought, whether rigorous and productive or not, especially one associated with a particular person.
It's hard to work out his system of logic.
Rational
(mathematics) A rational number: a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers.
The quotient of two rationals is again a rational.
Logic
(uncountable) The part of a system (usually electronic) that performs the boolean logic operations, short for logic gates or logic circuit.
Fred is designing the logic for the new controller.
Rational
(historical) The breastplate worn by Israelite high priests.
Logic
To engage in excessive or inappropriate application of logic.
Rational
Relating to the reason; not physical; mental.
Moral philosophy was his chiefest end; for the rational, the natural, and mathematics . . . were but simple pastimes in comparison of the other.
Logic
(transitive) To apply logical reasoning to.
Rational
Having reason, or the faculty of reasoning; endowed with reason or understanding; reasoning.
It is our glory and happiness to have a rational nature.
Logic
(transitive) To overcome by logical argument.
Rational
Agreeable to reason; not absurd, preposterous, extravagant, foolish, fanciful, or the like; wise; judicious; as, rational conduct; a rational man.
Logic
The science or art of exact reasoning, or of pure and formal thought, or of the laws according to which the processes of pure thinking should be conducted; the science of the formation and application of general notions; the science of generalization, judgment, classification, reasoning, and systematic arrangement; the science of correct reasoning.
Logic is the science of the laws of thought, as thought; that is, of the necessary conditions to which thought, considered in itself, is subject.
Rational
Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of a compound; graphic; - said of formulæ. See under Formula.
What higher in her society thou find'stAttractive, human, rational, love still.
A law may be reasonable in itself, although a man does not allow it, or does not know the reason of the lawgivers.
Logic
A treatise on logic; as, Mill's Logic.
Rational
A rational being.
Logic
Correct reasoning; as, I can't see any logic in his argument; also, sound judgment; as, the logic of surrender was uncontestable.
Rational
Consistent with or based on or using reason;
Rational behavior
A process of rational inference
Rational thought
Logic
The path of reasoning used in any specific argument; as, his logic was irrefutable.
Rational
Of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind;
Intellectual problems
The triumph of the rational over the animal side of man
Logic
A function of an electrical circuit (called a gate) that mimics certain elementary binary logical operations on electrical signals, such as AND, OR, or NOT; as, a logic circuit; the arithmetic and logic unit.
Rational
Capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers;
Rational numbers
Logic
The branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
Rational
Having its source in or being guided by the intellect (distinguished from experience or emotion);
A rational analysis
Logic
Reasoned and reasonable judgment;
It made a certain kind of logic
Logic
The principles that guide reasoning within a given field or situation;
Economic logic requires it
By the logic of war
Logic
A system of reasoning
Logic
A system of reasoning that follows specific rules and principles.
His logic was difficult to follow but ultimately sound.
Logic
The science that investigates principles governing correct reasoning.
She studied logic in college.
Logic
Clear, sound reasoning.
The logic of her explanation was irrefutable.
Logic
The relationship between elements and between an element and the whole.
The internal logic of the system made it efficient.
Common Curiosities
What is the Part of Speech for Logic?
Logic is a noun.
Can you be Rational without knowing Logic?
Yes, one can be rational in decision-making without formal knowledge of logic.
What is the Part of Speech for Rational?
Rational is an adjective.
What is Logic?
Logic is a system of reasoning governed by rules for deriving valid conclusions.
What does Rational mean?
Rational describes actions or thought processes that are logical or reasonable.
Is Logic always Rational?
Logic aims to be rational, but its application may not always result in rational conclusions.
How is Logic taught?
Logic is often taught as a formal discipline in philosophy and computer science.
Where is Logic commonly used?
Logic is commonly used in philosophy, mathematics, and computer science.
Where is the term Rational commonly used?
Rational is often used in psychology, economics, and everyday language.
Is Logic subjective?
Logic aims to be objective, but its application can be influenced by individual perspectives.
Can Rationality be measured?
In some disciplines like psychology and economics, rationality can be quantified.
Can Logic be flawed?
Logic itself aims to be foolproof, but its application or the premises used can be flawed.
Is being Rational always good?
Generally, yes, but excessive rationality may disregard emotional or ethical considerations.
How do Logic and Rational relate?
Rationality is the quality of effectively using logic in thinking and decision-making.
Can someone be too Rational?
Being overly rational may ignore emotional or social factors.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Coinage vs. Neologism
Next Comparison
Quire vs. ChoirAuthor Spotlight
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.
