natural reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"natural reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase "natural reason" when you are discussing rational arguments or points based off of a person's common sense or intuition. Example sentence: "I couldn't think of a logical explanation for his behavior, so I assumed it was just his natural reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the one hand, with his passion for logic he insisted on evaluations that are severely rational, on distinctions between the necessary and the incidental and differentiation between evidence and degrees of probability an insistence that places great trust in man's natural reason and his human nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anima functioned with a natural reason ("ratio"), in contrast to logical, critical reasoning ("ratiocinatio") that the rational soul performed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That we are governed in our natural condition by such a substantive moral law, legislated by God and known to us through our natural reason, implies that the state of nature is not the war of all against all that Hobbes claims it is.

SEP

But I think that's for a very natural reason.

The Guardian - Music

"If there's a natural reason for us to be there, it's probably worth pursuing," he added.

The New York Times

He aimed at the discovery of axioms flowing from natural reason, good morals, and good conscience.

Harvard University

In his theory of politics he shared the rationalism of contemporary philosophers, believing in "the light of natural reason".

Encyclopedia Britannica

And there's a natural reason for that, because the ultimate goal isn't to observe things about nature; the ultimate goal is to understand and explain things about nature.

The New Yorker

Jones, insisting that law was a science, treated his subject matter in an analytical (emphasizing the first principles of natural reason), historical (comparative law) and synthetic fashion.

Harvard University

This natural reason of anima was the source of the remarkable self-healing power of the organism, and when misled, such as by emotions, it produced illnesses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today, there is no natural reason that the exploding class of service jobs must be as "bad" as they often are.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing philosophical concepts, use "natural reason" to refer to inherent cognitive abilities rather than learned logic to maintain precision.

Common error

Avoid using "natural reason" interchangeably with "common sense". While related, "natural reason" often refers to a more fundamental cognitive faculty, while common sense is practical judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "natural reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the inherent capacity for logical thought and understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig AI and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

22%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "natural reason" is a noun phrase denoting the inherent human capacity for logical thought and understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific, encyclopedia, and news media contexts, indicating a formal and often academic register. While related to concepts like "common sense" and "intuition", it carries a specific connotation of fundamental cognitive ability, and should be used with precision, especially in philosophical and academic writing. Numerous alternative phrases exist, such as "inherent logic", but care should be taken to choose the alternative that best fits the intended meaning and context. The term enjoys high source authority and is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inherent logic

Focuses on the logic being a built-in aspect.

intuitive reasoning

Emphasizes the intuitive aspect of the reasoning process, rather than a formal or learned one.

instinctive logic

Highlights the instinctive and unlearned nature of the reasoning.

common sense

Replaces philosophical reasoning with practical understanding.

basic rationality

Stresses the fundamental level of rationality involved.

innate understanding

Shifts the focus to understanding as an inborn capacity.

native intelligence

Highlights a person's natural intellectual capacity.

reasoning by intuition

Emphasizes the role of intuition in the reasoning process.

untaught logic

Focuses on the logic not being formally educated or learned.

spontaneous reasoning

Highlights the immediacy and lack of premeditation in the reasoning process.

FAQs

How can I use "natural reason" in a sentence?

You can use "natural reason" to describe the inherent capacity for understanding and logical thought, as in: "The philosopher argued that morality is derived from "natural reason", not divine command".

What is the difference between "natural reason" and "common sense"?

"Natural reason" refers to a more fundamental and innate cognitive ability, while "common sense" typically describes practical judgment and understanding derived from experience.

Which is more appropriate in academic writing, "natural reason" or "intuition"?

In academic writing, "natural reason" is generally more appropriate as it suggests a structured cognitive process. "Intuition" implies a more immediate and less reasoned understanding.

Can "natural reason" be considered a synonym for "instinctive logic"?

While related, "natural reason" and "instinctive logic" aren't perfect synonyms. "Natural reason" implies a more deliberate cognitive process, while instinctive logic suggests a more immediate, unthinking response.