a rational judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rational judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing decisions or conclusions that are based on reason and logical thinking rather than emotions or biases. Example: "After considering all the evidence, I believe we can reach a rational judgment about the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But that is a rational judgment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fear prevented him from making a rational judgment".

The Guardian

Stephen Duncombe, a professor of media studies, said that faculty members were unable to make a "rational judgment" about the new campus.

The New Yorker

"Justice," as another put it, "is a rational judgment involving fairness in which the wrongdoer receives punishment deserving of his/her crime".

The Guardian

He claimed the mix of alcohol and drugs had impaired his ability to form a rational judgment, and disabled his ability to exercise self-control and understand the nature of his acts, leading to him attacking his wife.

The Guardian

Hence, on this view, a rational judgment about one's own death requires a comparison between the overall goodness of one's life as it would be if it continued on its present course and the overall goodness of one's life if that life ended before its present course.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Empirical rationalism claims that it is an empirical fact that moral judgment in humans is a kind of rational judgment; i.e. our moral judgments derive from our rational faculties or capacities.

SEP

This is no longer a question of rational judgment.

The New York Times - Books

During the campaign, Obama embodied novelty and a broader American coalition, and everything we heard about his temperament — as a community organizer in Chicago, as a president of the Harvard Law Review, as a legislator, as a campaigner — spoke of someone who, in contrast to the outgoing, faith-based President, possessed a gift for rational judgment and principled compromise.

The New Yorker

The WMA's revised protocols say that, "Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially".

Vice

Use of Bayes' rule is a fundamental aspect of rational judgment in probabilistic contexts.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conveying your message it's important to stress the methodology used to come up with the “rational judgment”.

Common error

Avoid using "a rational judgment" in contexts that require nuanced understanding of emotions or subjective experiences. Over-emphasizing rationality can make you sound detached or insensitive, especially when dealing with sensitive topics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rational judgment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the act of forming an opinion or making a decision based on reason and logical thinking. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rational judgment" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a decision or conclusion reached through logic and reason, rather than emotion. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "a sound decision" or "a logical conclusion" exist, "a rational judgment" specifically highlights the emphasis on objectivity and reasoned analysis in decision-making. Use this phrase to showcase objectivity in your communications but be careful to avoid sounding too detached in context that requires empathy and human connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sound decision

Emphasizes the quality of the decision being well-reasoned and reliable.

a logical conclusion

Highlights the step-by-step reasoning process leading to the final decision.

a well-reasoned assessment

Focuses on the thorough and logical evaluation of the situation.

an objective determination

Stresses impartiality and freedom from personal bias in reaching a decision.

a sensible appraisal

Highlights that the evaluation is both practical and logical.

a judicious evaluation

Highlights care and thoughtfulness in reaching a decision.

a coherent analysis

Focuses on a clear and consistent evaluation that leads to a judgment.

an informed opinion

Emphasizes that the judgment stems from having adequate knowledge and understanding.

a thoughtful deliberation

Emphasizes the careful process of thinking and discussing before reaching a judgment.

a fact-based decision

Stresses that the judgment is based upon verifiable information.

FAQs

How can I use "a rational judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "a rational judgment" to describe decisions or conclusions that are based on logic and reason. For example, "The court reached "a rational judgment" after reviewing all the evidence."

What's the difference between "a rational judgment" and "an emotional decision"?

"A rational judgment" is based on logical thinking and evidence, while "an emotional decision" is driven by feelings and personal biases. One relies on objective reasoning, while the other relies on subjective feelings.

What can I say instead of "a rational judgment"?

You can use alternatives like "a sound decision", "a logical conclusion", or "a well-reasoned assessment" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "a rational judgment"?

It's appropriate in formal settings, legal contexts, business decisions, and scientific analysis where objectivity and logical reasoning are paramount. It's also suitable when contrasting a decision with one based on emotions or biases.