Irrationality
noun
The quality of not being based on logic or reason, or not having the ability to think clearly or make sensible decisions.
Her sudden outburst of anger was a clear sign of irrationality.
Often appears as...
- display irrationality
- descend into irrationality
noun
In mathematics, it refers to a number that cannot be expressed as a fraction.
The irrationality of the square root of 2 was first proven by Pythagoras.
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The quality of not being based on logic or reason, or not having the ability to think clearly or make sensible decisions.
Her sudden outburst of anger was a clear sign of irrationality.
Often appears as...
- display irrationality
- descend into irrationality
noun
In mathematics, it refers to a number that cannot be expressed as a fraction.
The irrationality of the square root of 2 was first proven by Pythagoras.
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotion Driven
Irrationality often indicates decisions made under strong emotions rather than logic.
Her fear led to a moment of irrationality, and she rushed out without her keys.
Pro Tip 2/3Negatively Connoted
Irrationality usually implies a negative judgment about someone's behavior or decision.
Calling his choice an irrationality was an understatement.
Pro Tip 3/3Use in Arguments
It's used to criticize a lack of reasoning in debates or disputes.
Her argument was full of emotion and irrationality.
Compare with
absurditydeliriumincoherencemadsanitysenseless
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Video examples
Debunking the myths of...
between their obsessions and compulsions quite well. Being unable to avoid these thoughts and actions despite being aware of their irrationality is part of the reason why OCD is so distressing. OCD sufferers report feeling crazy
Video examples
Why it's so hard to make...
And it leads to the more general point, which once you recognize how people are irrational, you're in a much better position to help them. Now, this kind of irrationality works out even in men's restrooms.
Video examples
Debunking the myths of...
between their obsessions and compulsions quite well. Being unable to avoid these thoughts and actions despite being aware of their irrationality is part of the reason why OCD is so distressing. OCD sufferers report feeling crazy
Video examples
Why it's so hard to make...
And it leads to the more general point, which once you recognize how people are irrational, you're in a much better position to help them. Now, this kind of irrationality works out even in men's restrooms.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Dash Mihok
American Actor
Tourette's has always been a tough one for many to digest because of its seeming irrationality: 'Why do you have to twitch or make noises? You seem normal, with no physical defects.' It's next to impossible to answer without living it.
Quote examples
Jon Ronson
Welsh Journalist
I have thought sometimes that the sanest people, the people who are just very balanced, very happy, are probably lower achieving than other people. My kind of irrationality happens to be fear or anxiety.
Quote examples
Paul Johnson
British Journalist
What strikes the historian surveying anti-Semitism worldwide over more than two millennia is its fundamental irrationality. It seems to make no sense, any more than malaria or meningitis makes sense.
Quote examples
Vincent Bugliosi
American Author
When I hear theists and atheists pontificating on how they know God does or does not exist, I can only smile at the irrationality and, yes, vanity of the notion.
Quote examples
Kay Redfield Jamison
American Psychologist
It is important to value intellect and discipline, of course, but it is also important to recognize the power of irrationality, enthusiasm and vast energy.
Quote examples
Evan Davis
British Economist
Interestingly, human irrationality is a hot topic in economics at the moment. Behavioural economics it's called, on the cusp of economics and psychology.
Quote examples
Irvin Kershner
American Director
I love my early movies, but naturalism is an artist's early style. Now I want to deal with feelings, dreams, an acceptance of irrationality.
Quote examples
Ronald Coase
British Economist
You get more irrationality within the family and in consumer behavior than you get, say, in the behavior of firms in their purchases.
Quote examples
Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher
The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it.
Quote examples
Marcia Gay Harden
American Actress
I think irrationality is one of the scariest things in the world.
Quote examples
Dash Mihok
American Actor
Tourette's has always been a tough one for many to digest because of its seeming irrationality: 'Why do you have to twitch or make noises? You seem normal, with no physical defects.' It's next to impossible to answer without living it.
Quote examples
Jon Ronson
Welsh Journalist
I have thought sometimes that the sanest people, the people who are just very balanced, very happy, are probably lower achieving than other people. My kind of irrationality happens to be fear or anxiety.
Quote examples
Paul Johnson
British Journalist
What strikes the historian surveying anti-Semitism worldwide over more than two millennia is its fundamental irrationality. It seems to make no sense, any more than malaria or meningitis makes sense.
Quote examples
Vincent Bugliosi
American Author
When I hear theists and atheists pontificating on how they know God does or does not exist, I can only smile at the irrationality and, yes, vanity of the notion.
Quote examples
Kay Redfield Jamison
American Psychologist
It is important to value intellect and discipline, of course, but it is also important to recognize the power of irrationality, enthusiasm and vast energy.
Quote examples
Evan Davis
British Economist
Interestingly, human irrationality is a hot topic in economics at the moment. Behavioural economics it's called, on the cusp of economics and psychology.
Quote examples
Irvin Kershner
American Director
I love my early movies, but naturalism is an artist's early style. Now I want to deal with feelings, dreams, an acceptance of irrationality.
Quote examples
Ronald Coase
British Economist
You get more irrationality within the family and in consumer behavior than you get, say, in the behavior of firms in their purchases.
Quote examples
Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher
The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it.
Quote examples
Marcia Gay Harden
American Actress
I think irrationality is one of the scariest things in the world.
Example 1 of 10
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