Sensible vs. Ideational — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 5, 2023
Sensible means practical and reasonable; ideational relates to ideas or thinking.
Difference Between Sensible and Ideational
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sensible is a term that is often used to describe actions, decisions, or people that are practical, reasonable, and based on good judgment. For example, wearing a coat on a cold day is a sensible thing to do. In contrast, ideational pertains to the process of forming ideas or concepts. It is concerned more with the theoretical or abstract rather than the practical.
Sensible decisions are typically characterized by logic, sound judgment, and an awareness of the real-world implications. They are made after considering the facts and are likely to lead to good outcomes. In contrast, ideational thinking might not always lead to practical actions; it's more about the generation and manipulation of ideas without immediate regard for practicality.
When we say someone is sensible, we're often complimenting their ability to handle situations with wisdom and common sense. On the other hand, someone who is ideational may be praised for their creativity and ability to think outside the box, even though their ideas might not be immediately applicable.
Sensible approaches are grounded in experience and knowledge of the world as it is. Ideational thinking is not constrained by the current state of affairs and allows for the exploration of possibilities and hypotheticals that have not yet been realized.
The sensible is typically actionable, leading to clear and often conservative paths forward, while the ideational might require additional steps to translate abstract concepts into practical solutions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Showing good judgment or practical understanding.
Related to the formation of ideas or theoretical concepts.
Focus
Practicality and reasonableness.
Abstraction and ideation.
Application
Immediate and real-world.
Often theoretical or future-oriented.
Outcome
Pragmatic results.
Generation of new concepts or perspectives.
Associated Traits
Prudence, realism.
Creativity, innovation.
Compare with Definitions
Sensible
Understandable and logical
Her argument was sensible and convincing.
Ideational
Involving mental images or representations
Her paintings are the product of a highly ideational process.
Sensible
Acting with or exhibiting good judgment; reasonable
A sensible person.
A sensible choice.
Ideational
Pertaining to ideas or concepts
His ideational contribution reshaped the project.
Sensible
Not ornate or impractical
A sensible hairdo.
Sensible shoes.
Ideational
Concerned with the theoretical rather than the practical
The ideational phase was filled with brainstorming.
Sensible
Having a perception of something; cognizant
"I am sensible that a good deal more is still to be done" (Edmund Burke).
Ideational
Abstract or not concrete
His ideational musings often left others perplexed.
Sensible
Perceptible or appreciable by the senses or by the mind
A sensible difference in temperature.
Ideational
Relating to the formation of ideas or concepts
Policy has been shaped by both material and ideational factors
Sensible
Acting with or showing good sense; able to make good judgements based on reason, or reflecting such ability.
Ideational
To form an idea of; imagine or conceive
"Such characters represent a grotesquely blown-up aspect of an ideal man ... if not realizable, capable of being ideated" (Anthony Burgess).
Sensible
Characterized more by usefulness, practicality, or comfort than by attractiveness, formality, or fashionableness, especially of clothing.
I only wear high heels on formal occasions; otherwise, I prefer sensible shoes.
Ideational
To conceive mental images; think.
Sensible
Able to be sensed by the senses or the psyche; able to be perceived.
Ideational
Pertaining to the formation of ideas or thoughts of objects not immediately present to the senses.
Sensible
(archaic) Able to feel or perceive.
Ideational
Pertaining to, or characterized by, ideation.
Certain sensational or ideational stimuli.
Sensible
(archaic) Liable to external impression; easily affected; sensitive.
A sensible thermometer
Ideational
Being (or being of the nature of) a notion or concept;
A plan abstract and conceptional
To improve notional comprehension
A notional response to the question
Sensible
(archaic) Of or pertaining to the senses; sensory.
Ideational
Cognitive and related to the act of thinking
Ideational activities stimulate the mind.
Sensible
(archaic) Cognizant; having the perception of something; aware of something.
Sensible
(obsolete) Sensation; sensibility.
Sensible
(obsolete) That which impresses itself on the senses; anything perceptible.
Sensible
(obsolete) That which has sensibility; a sensitive being.
Sensible
Capable of being perceived by the senses; apprehensible through the bodily organs; hence, also, perceptible to the mind; making an impression upon the sense, reason, or understanding; heat; sensible resistance.
Air is sensible to the touch by its motion.
The disgrace was more sensible than the pain.
Any very sensible effect upon the prices of things.
Sensible
Having the capacity of receiving impressions from external objects; capable of perceiving by the instrumentality of the proper organs; liable to be affected physsically or mentally; impressible.
Would your cambric were sensible as your finger.
Sensible
Hence: Liable to impression from without; easily affected; having nice perception or acute feeling; sensitive; also, readily moved or affected by natural agents; delicate; as, a sensible thermometer.
Sensible
Perceiving or having perception, either by the senses or the mind; cognizant; perceiving so clearly as to be convinced; satisfied; persuaded.
He [man] can not think at any time, waking or sleeping, without being sensible of it.
They are now sensible it would have been better to comply than to refuse.
Sensible
Having moral perception; capable of being affected by moral good or evil.
Sensible
Possessing or containing sense or reason; giftedwith, or characterized by, good or common sense; intelligent; wise.
Now a sensible man, by and by a fool.
Sensible
Sensation; sensibility.
Sensible
That which impresses itself on the sense; anything perceptible.
Aristotle distinguished sensibles into common and proper.
Sensible
That which has sensibility; a sensitive being.
This melancholy extends itself not to men only, but even to vegetals and sensibles.
Sensible
Showing reason or sound judgment;
A sensible choice
A sensible person
Sensible
Able to feel or perceive;
Even amoeba are sensible creatures
The more sensible p{ enveloping(a), shrouding(a), concealing,& (concealing by enclosing or wrapping as if in something that is not solid;
;
) }arts of the skin
Sensible
Acting with or showing thought and good sense;
A sensible young man
Sensible
Marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters;
Judicious use of one's money
A sensible manager
A wise decision
Sensible
Readily perceived by the senses;
The sensible universe
A sensible odor
Sensible
Aware intuitively or intellectually of something sensed;
Made sensible of his mistakes
I am sensible that the mention of such a circumstance may appear trifling
Sensible that a good deal more is still to be done
Sensible
Proceeding from good sense or judgment;
A sensible choice
Sensible
Showing good judgment
She made a sensible choice to save money.
Sensible
Reasonably priced and practical
He bought a sensible car that would last years.
Sensible
Aware of and sensitive to
He was sensible of the risks involved in the venture.
Sensible
Designed for comfort or utility rather than style
She always wore sensible shoes on her hikes.
Common Curiosities
Can businesses benefit from ideational thinking?
Yes, it can lead to innovative strategies and products.
Are ideational skills important in education?
Yes, they're crucial for critical thinking and problem-solving.
Can a sensible decision be unconventional?
Yes, if it's based on sound judgment despite being against the norm.
Can sensible people be creative?
Yes, they can creatively solve problems within practical constraints.
Can someone be both sensible and ideational?
Yes, though it's a balance between practicality and creativity.
Can sensible actions also be ideational?
Rarely, as sensible actions are practical, whereas ideational actions are theoretical.
Is being ideational a positive trait?
Yes, especially in contexts that value creativity and innovation.
Does sensible mean the same as sensitive?
No, sensible means practical, while sensitive means easily affected or responsive.
Is a sensible person likely to take risks?
They may take calculated risks that are well thought out.
Are sensible choices always the safest?
Often, but not always, as they're based on reason, not fear.
Is sensibility innate or learned?
It can be innate but is often honed through experience.
Do ideational people have difficulty with practical tasks?
Not necessarily, but they may prefer conceptual work.
Is being ideational helpful in the arts?
Absolutely, as it fosters originality and expression.
Do sensible solutions work in every situation?
Mostly, though sometimes unconventional solutions may be needed.
Are ideational discussions common in philosophy?
Yes, as philosophy deals with abstract ideas and concepts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
