lack of reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of reasoning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to something that is missing from a person's thought process or reasoning. For example, "I couldn't understand her decision, due to a lack of reasoning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Lazy, Not Biased: Susceptibility to Partisan Fake News is Better Explained by Lack of Reasoning than by Motivated Reasoning". Pennycook, Gordon, and David G. Rand.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, if a lack of reasoning and cognitive laziness are the actual culprits, it might just take simple nudges that facilitate thinking — for example, by making accuracy top-of-mind, and encouraging people to slow down while consuming online content.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Upholding the state's right to execute a mentally impaired man named Jose Garcia Briseno despite the Supreme Court's prior ruling, a Texas appeals court observed in 2004: Most Texas citizens might agree that Steinbeck's Lennie should, by virtue of his lack of reasoning ability and adaptive skills, be exempt.

The New York Times

For you to suggest otherwise, is just strange, considering the lack of reasoning to back it up.

BBC

"Most Texas citizens would agree that Steinbeck's Lennie should, by virtue of his lack of reasoning ability and adaptive skills, be exempt from execution," the court found.

HuffPost

In the past my biggest issue with Moffat's treatment of Clara has been the lack of reasoning behind her actions, but this season everything she's done makes perfect sense.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

[1] Haidt sees two points about reasoning to be particularly important: the first concerns the efficacy (or lack thereof) of reasoning; the second concerns the point of doing so publicly: of exchanging reasons.

The New York Times

There is a clear need to facilitate students' cognizance and informed reflection on the impact of moral intuitions on ethical reasoning, as is evidenced by the prevalence of moral intuition in student responses, in contrast to the lack of such reasoning during in-class discussions.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The lack of critical reasoning skills may be a causal factor in student attrition from STEM majors.

Thinking Skills and Creativity

I am struggling to get my head around the whys and wherefores of the complacency and lack of logical reasoning on this issue.

The Guardian

In turn based games, the game artificial intelligence (AI) is able to compensate for its lack of game reasoning by evaluating board positions millions of times faster than the human player.

Expert Systems with Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of reasoning", ensure the context clearly specifies what is missing or deficient in the reasoning process. Be explicit about the area where reasoning is absent.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of reasoning" as a catch-all term for any perceived flaw in someone's argument. Instead, pinpoint the specific type of reasoning that is missing, such as logical deduction, causal inference, or ethical consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of reasoning" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the absence or deficiency of logical thought processes. Ludwig provides examples showing how it describes a missing element in decision-making or argumentation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of reasoning" serves as a noun phrase that describes the absence or deficiency of logical thought processes. Ludwig provides various examples across different contexts, from academic research to news reports, illustrating its use in criticizing arguments or decisions. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. While neutral in register, it's more prevalent in formal or professional settings, emphasizing the need for clear and logical thinking. Related phrases include "absence of rationale" and "paucity of logic", each nuanced to capture specific aspects of missing reasoning. Using "lack of reasoning" effectively involves pinpointing the specific area where reasoning is absent rather than employing it as a generic critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasoning deficit

Directly refers to a specific impairment or lack in the ability to reason.

absence of rationale

Highlights the missing justification or logical basis.

paucity of logic

Emphasizes the scarcity or insufficiency of logical thinking.

want of reason

An archaic phrasing that emphasizes the deficiency in rational thought.

deficiency in logic

Focuses on the inadequacy or incompleteness of logical processes.

inadequate justification

Points out that the reasoning provided isn't sufficient or convincing.

flawed logic

Highlights that the reasoning has errors or weaknesses.

irrationality

General term indicating a departure from reason or logic.

cognitive deficit

Implies a broader impairment in cognitive abilities, including reasoning.

intellectual deficiency

Indicates a more general lack of intellectual capabilities that encompasses reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of reasoning" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of reasoning" to describe situations where a logical thought process is absent. For example, "The decision was criticized for its "lack of reasoning"."

What are some alternatives to "lack of reasoning"?

Alternatives include phrases like "absence of rationale", "paucity of logic", or "reasoning deficit", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the missing or deficient thought process.

Is it better to say "lack of reasoning" or "absence of reasoning"?

Both "lack of reasoning" and "absence of reasoning" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Lack of reasoning" is slightly more common, while "absence of reasoning" may sound more formal or emphatic.

What does it mean when someone is accused of "lack of reasoning"?

Being accused of a "lack of reasoning" typically means that your arguments or decisions are perceived as illogical, unfounded, or not supported by sufficient evidence. It suggests a deficiency in your cognitive process or justification.