Irrational vs. Rational — What's the Difference?

Irrational and Rational are contrasting terms, often used to describe thought processes or behaviors. The term Irrational pertains to behaviors, thoughts, or beliefs that aren't rooted in logical reasoning or sound judgment. This implies that the reasoning may not make sense to the average person. On the contrary, Rational relates to a manner of thinking that's coherent, logical, and backed by evidence.

When one describes an argument as Irrational, it usually implies that the argument lacks solid evidence, might be based on fallacies, or doesn't follow a logical sequence. Conversely, a Rational argument is carefully constructed, based on evidence, and can be logically followed to reach a conclusion. It's worthy to note, though, that what may appear Rational to one person might be deemed Irrational by another, based on their respective sets of knowledge or beliefs.

Furthermore, emotions play a crucial role in influencing whether actions are Irrational or Rational. People can act irrationally under strong emotional influences, making decisions without considering the consequences or without adequate evidence. In contrast, a Rational decision usually involves weighing pros and cons and considering the potential outcomes.

In the realm of mathematics, the terms have distinct definitions. An Irrational number cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers, like the square root of 2, whereas a Rational number can be, such as 1/2 or 3. But in everyday language, the difference lies chiefly in the presence or absence of logical reasoning.