practical reason
Ethics guiding action
Practical reason is the capacity to determine what one ought to do, as distinguished from theoretical reason, which concerns what is true.
Philosophy treats practical reason as the faculty that guides action and decision-making: Practical reason tells us how to act; theoretical reason tells us how things are.
The term appears frequently in ethics and discussions of rationality, where it addresses questions of means, ends, and moral obligation.
Unconditional ethical obligation
- moral lawCode of right conduct
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- dutyRequired moral task
- good willBenevolent intent toward others
maxim · free will · dignity · imperative · enlightenment · synthetic a priori · moral worth
Process of choosing actions
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- planningArranging for future events
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
justification · reflection · inference · evaluation · intention · choice · will · forethought
Setting behavioral standards
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- rightnessState of being correct
- oughtExpresses duty or obligation
moral reasoning · values · virtue · justice · responsibility · conscience · integrity · goodness
Drawing logical conclusions
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- intellectMental reasoning capacity
- understandingMental comprehension of something
discernment · wisdom · insight · coherence · consistency · rational choice · intelligibility · justification
categorical imperative
Unconditional ethical obligation
good will · maxim · free will · dignity · imperative · enlightenment · synthetic a priori · moral worth
decision-making
Process of choosing actions
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- planningArranging for future events
prudence · justification · reflection · inference · evaluation · intention · choice · will · forethought · consideration
normative
Setting behavioral standards
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- rightnessState of being correct
ought · moral reasoning · values · virtue · justice · responsibility · conscience · integrity · goodness · fairness
reasoning
Drawing logical conclusions
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- intellectMental reasoning capacity
understanding · discernment · wisdom · insight · coherence · consistency · rational choice · intelligibility · justification · reasonableness
practical reasonpure reason
Intellect independent of experience
abstract reasoning · scientific reasoning · natural philosophy
reason, practice, practical, practiced, practices, impractical, practically, practicality, practicable