faculty to reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faculty to reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the ability or capacity to think logically or rationally. Example: "Humans possess a unique faculty to reason, allowing them to solve complex problems and make informed decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It is impossible for the mind to be completely under another's control; for no one is able to transfer to another his natural right or faculty to reason freely and to form his own judgment on any matters whatsoever, nor can he be compelled to do so".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Either the person is not well equipped with the mental faculties to reason out your problem or they are too bothered about their own problems and your own concerns might appear too trivial to be bothered about.

WikiHow

Is taste a higher, cognitive faculty, akin perhaps to reason, with objects of a primarily intellectual nature?

SEP

It is the fate of the human mind — "how noble in reason, how infinite in faculty" — to be liable to catastrophic deterioration.

The New York Times

College administrators and faculty have reason to be proud that their student athletes are banding together to stand up for themselves.

Huffington Post

In David Hume's words: "taste [as opposed to reason] has a productive faculty, and gilding and staining all natural objects with the colours, borrowed from internal sentiment, raises in a manner a new creation" (Hume [1751] 1983: 88).

SEP

In fact, model building is not even connected to the higher intellectual faculty of reason but to the lower faculty of imagination.

SEP

According to rationalists, the ultimate source of human knowledge is the faculty of reason; according to empiricists, it is experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In China and other developing countries, while PBL was introduced decades ago, the application of PBL is limited due to reasons like faculty shortage and lack of resources.

BMC Medical Education

A person has a better character when the faculty of desire submits willingly to the faculty of reason.

SEP

Just as the First Critique contains a Transcendental Dialectic devoted to the faculty of reason in its theoretical employment, so we have in the Second Critique, an inquiry into practical reason's quest for "the absolute totality of conditions for a given conditioned" (5:107).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "faculty to reason" when emphasizing the inherent or natural capacity for rational thought. It's particularly effective in philosophical or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "faculty to reason" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "ability to think" or "capacity to understand" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faculty to reason" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific cognitive ability. It refers to the inherent capacity for logical thought and rational decision-making. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "faculty to reason" describes the inherent human capacity for rational thought, as noted by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in formal, academic, and philosophical contexts. Alternatives such as "ability to reason" or "capacity for reasoning" may be more suitable for informal settings. Understanding its specific connotations and typical usage scenarios is crucial for effective communication. As evidenced by the diverse sources in Ludwig, the phrase carries a formal and intellectual weight, making it most appropriate for discussions requiring precision and a focus on cognitive capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to reason

Replaces "faculty" with "ability", focusing on the capacity rather than the inherent power.

reasoning ability

Combines the two words to form a compound adjective + noun.

rational faculty

Swaps the order, putting emphasis on the term "rational".

capacity for reasoning

Uses "capacity" instead of "faculty", and changes "to reason" into "for reasoning", emphasizing the potential for rational thought.

power of reasoning

Substitutes "faculty" with "power", highlighting the strength and force of rational thought.

skill at reasoning

Emphasizes the learned or developed nature of the ability to reason.

aptitude for logical thought

Replaces "reason" with "logical thought", specifying the type of thinking involved.

intellectual capacity

Broadens the phrase to encompass overall mental ability rather than specifically reasoning.

mental capacity to think logically

Expands the phrase to explicitly include "think logically" providing clarification.

cognitive function for rational thought

Offers a more technical and detailed explanation of the ability to reason.

FAQs

What does "faculty to reason" mean?

The phrase "faculty to reason" refers to the inherent ability or capacity to think logically and rationally, to understand and make judgments based on facts and evidence.

Is "faculty to reason" a formal expression?

Yes, "faculty to reason" is generally considered a more formal expression, often found in academic, philosophical, or legal contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "ability to think" might be preferred.

What can I say instead of "faculty to reason"?

You can use alternatives like "ability to reason", "capacity for reasoning", or "power of reasoning" depending on the context.

How can I improve my "faculty to reason"?

You can improve your faculty to reason by practicing critical thinking, studying logic, engaging in debates, and exposing yourself to diverse perspectives and information.