rational justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'rational justification' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to explain why a decision or opinion is reasonable and logical. For example, "The decision to open the school was based on rational justification, which included the desire to return to normalcy and the safety protocols already in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The two can overlap, and do overlap when rational justification is understood in an end-directed way that is, where trust is rationally justified because it is instrumentally valuable, or because it serves one's ends.

SEP

There was a rational justification for both decisions.

The Guardian

The Iraq war has no rational justification at all.

The Guardian - Books

The invasion of Grenada, like the invasion of Iraq, had no rational justification.

The New York Times

It's a totally sane and rational justification, which – today at least – is Chrissie Hynde all over.

The Guardian - Music

These cases forced public officials to try to articulate a rational justification for this exclusion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Several location selection criteria are proposed on the basis of scientific and/or rational justifications that they would, to a certain extent, help us delineate good RWIS locations.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Many take Hume to be arguing here that once a person has rid themselves of philosophically suspect rational justifications for belief in God, he is free to embrace religion based simply on faith.

SEP

On the contrary, he has developed a fine line in blame-shifting and post-rational justification.

The Guardian - Opinion

But health secretary Andrew Lansley's recipe of GP commissioning, abolition of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities, with no coherent structures to replace them; the introduction of private providers into the NHS, and emphasis on cost rather than quality of service lays personal dogma before rational political justification for reform.

The Guardian

Advocating for a coding scheme to be used in a deductive manner requires a rational and justification.

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rational justification", ensure the context provides a clear and logical basis for the claim or decision being justified. Use it to strengthen arguments in academic papers, legal documents, or policy proposals.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "rational justification" as the only possible explanation when other factors (such as emotions or biases) might also be at play. Acknowledge potential complexities to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rational justification" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating the reason or basis for a particular action, belief, or decision. As seen in Ludwig, it signifies that there is a logical foundation behind something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rational justification" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that serves to provide a logical basis for a decision, action, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in formal contexts, particularly in scientific and academic settings, although it also appears frequently in news media. Related phrases include "logical rationale" and "sound reasoning", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. When using "rational justification", ensure the context supports a logical explanation and avoid overstating the rationality if other factors are present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

logical rationale

Replaces "justification" with "rationale", emphasizing the logical basis.

sound reasoning

Focuses on the quality of the reasoning process.

valid explanation

Highlights the validity and explanatory power of the reasoning.

reasonable basis

Emphasizes the reasonableness and foundation of the justification.

intelligible grounds

Focuses on the understandability and foundational aspects.

cogent argument

Highlights the persuasiveness of the reason.

justifiable reason

Inverts the structure, placing emphasis on the reason itself being justifiable.

defensible grounds

Emphasizes the ability to defend the justification.

reasoned defense

Focuses on the act of defending with reason.

substantiated claim

Emphasizes that the claim is supported by evidence and logic.

FAQs

How can I use "rational justification" in a sentence?

You can use "rational justification" to explain why a decision, action, or belief is reasonable and logical. For example, "The company provided a "rational justification" for the price increase, citing rising production costs".

What phrases are similar to "rational justification"?

Alternatives include "logical rationale", "sound reasoning", or "valid explanation", which all convey a similar sense of providing a logical basis for something.

Is it always necessary to have a "rational justification"?

While not always strictly necessary, providing a "rational justification" often strengthens an argument or decision, making it more persuasive and defensible, especially in formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "rational justification" and "excuse"?

"Rational justification" implies a logical and reasonable explanation, whereas "excuse" often suggests an attempt to avoid blame or responsibility, potentially without a strong logical basis.