rationalizer
One who explains away
A rationalizer is someone who constructs plausible but self-serving explanations for behavior or beliefs.
The word carries a note of criticism—rationalizers don't reason honestly but manufacture justifications after the fact: He's a skilled rationalizer who always finds a way to excuse his failures.
The term applies equally to explaining away one's own conduct or defending questionable decisions.
Defender of a cause
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- justifierOne who provides rationale
- vindicatorOne who justifies
- explainerOne who clarifies meaning
supporter · upholder · proponent · champion · validator · pleader · backer · spokesperson
Reason proving rightness
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
- denialRefusal to accept reality
deflection · cop-out · whitewash · evasion · fabrication · distortion · misrepresentation · equivocation
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- justificationReason proving rightness
explanation · argumentation · coherence · premise · conclusion · intellectualization · cognition · judgment
apologist
Defender of a cause
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- justifierOne who provides rationale
- vindicatorOne who justifies
explainer · supporter · upholder · proponent · champion · validator · pleader · backer · spokesperson · interpreter
justification
Reason proving rightness
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
denial · deflection · cop-out · whitewash · evasion · fabrication · distortion · misrepresentation · equivocation · obfuscation
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
justification · explanation · argumentation · coherence · premise · conclusion · intellectualization · cognition · judgment · discernment
rationalizertruth-teller
One who speaks accurately
realist · straight shooter · confessor · honest broker · penitent
rationalizerrationalist
One guided by reason
empiricist · truth-seeker · critical thinker · objectivist · skeptic