rational belief
Evidence-based acceptance
A rational belief is one supported by evidence, sound reasoning, or logical inference rather than emotion, tradition, or wishful thinking.
The term implies that the belief can be examined and justified: Her rational belief in climate change was based on scientific consensus.
What counts as rational varies by context—a rational belief in everyday life may require less rigor than one in philosophy or science.
- reasonBasis or justification
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
- deductionConclusion from premises
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- burden of proofDuty to prove allegations
foundationalism · decision-making · problem-solving · validity · coherence · justification · soundness · sound argument · fallacy · warrant · analysis · consistency · empiricism · ethical reasoning · truth · evaluation · argumentation · scientific method
rational beliefsuperstition
Baseless belief in omens
blind faith · dogma · prejudice · delusion · magical thinking
rational belieffaith
Trust without proof
blind trust · credulity · received wisdom · folk belief · instinct
rational beliefdelusion
Stubbornly held false belief
fantasy · illusion · self-deception · willful ignorance · myth
rational, belief, ratio, ration, rationale, rationality, rationalism, rationalist, rationalize