capacity of reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity of reason" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a person's ability to think and make logical decisions. You can use it anytime you want to talk about someone's ability to reason or think critically in a sentence. Example: "Despite facing numerous obstacles, her capacity of reason allowed her to come up with a solution and solve the problem efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Aquinas defined law in part as an "ordinance of reason"—that is, a prescription that is both produced (by lawmakers) and responded to (by subjects) through an exercise of the distinctive human capacity of reason.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, humans, using the capacity of reason, are able to discover that God exists, to identify his laws and the duties they entail, and to acquire sufficient knowledge to perform their duties and thereby to lead a happy and successful life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kant refers to this capacity of reason as one that leads to the specifically transcendent judgments that characterize metaphysics.

SEP

Kant assumes that we have a capacity of reason; but "reason grants [respect] only to that which has been able to withstand its free and public examination" (Axi n).

SEP

Clarke is very confident in the prospects of general revelation; that is, he thinks that human reason (if it is not corrupted by vicious habits) is capable of discovering the existence of God as well as the attributes of God from the evidence of nature and the capacity of reason.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Again, in marked contrast to Sunnism, Shīʿism adopted the Muʿtazilah doctrine of the freedom of the human will and the capacity of human reason to know good and evil, although its position on the question of the relationship of faith to works is the same as that of the Sunnis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Convinced that the question of free will is beyond the capacity of human reason, he turned to rhetoric, the quintessential humanistic subject.

SEP

The capacity of practical reason to give rise to intentional action divides even those philosophers who agree in rejecting the expressivist strategy discussed above.

SEP

William was a student of Anselm of Laon, and, like others from his school, he was committed to the view that articles of faith are beyond the capacity of human reason to understand and human language to explain.

SEP

The expressivist contends that we can make sense of the capacity of practical reason to generate states with the peculiar structure and function of intentions only if evaluative and normative assertions are understood along these lines.

SEP

In addition, both Erasmus and Luther believed that the question of free will that is, whether people can freely make choices or only have the illusion that they can was beyond the very limited capacity of human reason, a question insoluble by any of the known schools of philosophy.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex philosophical concepts, use "capacity of reason" to emphasize the innate human ability to think logically and make informed decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity of reason" when simpler terms like "reasoning ability" or "intellect" suffice. This phrase is best reserved for discussions requiring a nuanced understanding of philosophical or psychological principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity of reason" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the inherent ability or potential for rational thought, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

40%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity of reason" refers to the inherent human ability to think logically. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct, although relatively rare. It is most frequently used in scientific, encyclopedic, and news-related contexts. While understandable in most situations, it is better suited to formal or scientific discussions. For more casual contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Despite its relative infrequency, when you want to sound expert or technical, the expression can come in handy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to reason

Focuses on the capability of performing logical thought processes.

power of reasoning

Emphasizes the strength and effectiveness of one's rational thought.

intellectual capacity

Highlights the general mental capability, encompassing more than just reasoning.

cognitive ability

Refers to the mental processes involved in knowing, understanding, and remembering.

rational faculty

Focuses on the specific mental ability related to rationality.

mental acuity

Highlights the sharpness and quickness of thought.

comprehension skills

Focuses on understanding and grasping concepts.

understanding capabilities

Emphasizes the potential and extent of one's understanding.

reasoning aptitude

Highlights a natural talent or inclination for logical thought.

level of rationality

Specifies the degree or extent to which someone is rational.

FAQs

How can I use "capacity of reason" in a sentence?

You can use "capacity of reason" to describe someone's ability to think logically and make sound judgments. For example, "The philosopher emphasized the importance of cultivating the human "capacity of reason"."

What are some alternatives to "capacity of reason"?

Some alternatives include "ability to reason", "intellectual capacity", or "cognitive ability" depending on the specific context.

Is "capacity for reason" grammatically correct?

While "capacity of reason" is acceptable, "capacity for reason" is also grammatically correct and often used interchangeably, though it has a slightly different connotation emphasizing the potential or possibility of reasoning.

What does "capacity of reason" mean?

The phrase "capacity of reason" refers to the inherent ability or potential within an individual to engage in rational thought, logical analysis, and coherent decision-making processes.