endowed with reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "endowed with reason" is correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase generally means that someone has the ability to think rationally and make rational decisions. For example, "The ancient Greeks believed that humans were the only creatures on earth endowed with reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Everything hangs on the assertion that human beings "are endowed with reason and conscience".

The Guardian - Opinion

Article 1 says all people were created alike and endowed with reason and conscience, and should be treated with dignity and respect.

The New York Times

But well before Anselm, Christians maintained that because people have been endowed with reason, they have an urge to express their experience of faith intellectually, to translate the contents of faith into concepts, and to formulate beliefs in a systematic understanding of the correlation between God, humankind, and creation.

Britannica

But a course has been added called Declarations, as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the manifesto issued in the wake of the horrors of World War II reaffirming that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" and are "endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood".

The New York Times

"Our dispositions too frequently change with the colour of the sky," he wrote, and he condemned it: "Surely nothing is more reproachful to a being endowed with reason, than to resign its powers to the influence of the air, and live in dependence on the weather and the wind".

The Guardian - Books

In his view, the fact that man is endowed with reason obliges him to use his intellect.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Hume was downright dismissive of the animal mind skeptics when he wrote "Next to the ridicule of denying an evident truth, is that of taking much pains to defend it; and no truth appears to me more evident than that beasts are endowed with thought and reason as well as man.

SEP

The consequence is that the sage's reason, endowed with knowledge of the way right reason pervades the universe, supervenes on impulse with the good of the whole in view.

SEP

The third step in the Natural Rights Argument holds that any being endowed with the "light of reason" that exercises the various "exalted attributes" of reason possesses certain peculiar rights on the "ground of their nature".

SEP

The argument only succeeds if blacks in fact count as an instance of its third step, the generalization about beings who are endowed with the light of reason.

SEP

This hierarchical flight control system, endowed with autonomy resembling sense-reason-act processes of intelligent agents in nature, gradually refines given abstract mission commands into real-time control signals for each vehicle.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "endowed with reason", ensure the context clearly establishes who or what is being described as rational. This helps avoid ambiguity and reinforces the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "endowed with reason" when describing actions or entities that are inherently non-rational (e.g., natural phenomena or inanimate objects). This can create a nonsensical or illogical statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endowed with reason" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun possesses the quality of rationality or the ability to think logically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "endowed with reason" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression denoting the possession of rationality or the ability to think logically. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is correct and frequent across diverse, particularly news and media, scientific and encyclopedia-based contexts. While synonyms like "gifted with rationality" or "possessing the faculty of reason" exist, "endowed with reason" itself maintains a unique emphasis on the inherent quality of rationality. When employing this phrase, ensure clear context and avoid attributing it to inherently non-rational subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gifted with rationality

Replaces "endowed" with "gifted" and "reason" with "rationality", slightly altering the emphasis to inherent talent.

possessing the faculty of reason

Uses more formal language to describe the ability to reason.

having a capacity for rational thought

Focuses on the capacity for rational thinking, emphasizing potential.

able to think logically

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize logical thinking.

blessed with intellect

Replaces "reason" with "intellect" and "endowed" with "blessed", adding a sense of fortune or divine favor.

capable of rational analysis

Emphasizes the analytical aspect of reason.

equipped with cognitive ability

Focuses on the broader concept of cognitive ability rather than just reason.

having a mind

Offers a more general and less specific way to indicate intelligence or awareness.

rationally minded

Uses a compound adjective to describe someone who is inclined to reason.

thinking being

Refers to an entity capable of thought, though not necessarily rational thought.

FAQs

How can I use "endowed with reason" in a sentence?

You can use "endowed with reason" to describe beings or entities that possess the capacity for rational thought. For example, "Humans are often described as beings "endowed with reason" because of their ability to think logically and make informed decisions."

What are some synonyms for "endowed with reason"?

Synonyms for "endowed with reason" include "gifted with rationality", "possessing the faculty of reason", and "having a capacity for rational thought".

Is it correct to say animals are "endowed with reason"?

While some animals exhibit intelligent behavior, the extent to which they are "endowed with reason", as traditionally defined, is a matter of debate. It depends on the definition of "reason" and the specific animal in question. Some might argue they are more "endowed with instinct".

What is the difference between "endowed with reason" and "endowed with intelligence"?

"Endowed with reason" specifically refers to the capacity for logical and rational thought. "Endowed with intelligence" is a broader term that encompasses various cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, learning, and adaptation. Therefore, something can be "endowed with intelligence" without necessarily being "endowed with reason" in the strict sense.