reasoned desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"reasoned desire" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a desire that is based on logical reasoning or thoughtful consideration. For example: "Her decision was driven by a reasoned desire to improve her skills." Alternative expressions include "rational wish" and "thoughtful aspiration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Southerners, one article reasoned, desired only "that self-government which Englishmen practice themselves and usually commend in others".

The New York Times

For this reason, desire lines infuriate some landscape architects and enrapture others.

The New Yorker

Those who left the city cited various reasons: desire for a little green space, new housing, better schools, freedom from crime.

The New York Times

Germany was split in two, but not in the way or for the reasons desired by Morgenthau.

The New York Times - Books

Given that reasons (desires, intentions) are not logically distinct from the actions they rationalize, reasons could not cause actions.

SEP

This makes it difficult to see what denying that there are any such reasons in the first place could be important enough to merit attributing the widespread confusion between reasons to desire and reasons to get oneself to desire, that this strategy requires.

SEP

Reasons that seem to derive from desires can arguably be more plausibly explained by pleasure, which can also serve to explain reasons that desire cannot explain: reasons deriving from pleasures that the agent does not actually desire.

SEP

These authors typically explain away the apparent plausibility of the examples by attributing it to a widespread confusion between reasons to desire something, and reasons to get oneself to desire it.

SEP

Talking to Deutsch can feel like a case study of reason following desire; the desire is to be a creature of pure reason.

The New Yorker

While this seems like a reason to desire the mud, it obviously doesn't make the mud any more desirable.

SEP

Three reasons: a desire not to fail, poor design aspects, and the belief in poop power.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place this phrase in contexts discussing philosophy, moral psychology or high-stakes decision-making where the interplay between the mind and the heart is relevant.

Common error

Do not use "reasoned desire" to describe a justification made after the fact for an impulsive action. A "reasoned desire" implies the thinking preceded or shaped the feeling, whereas a rationalization is a logical excuse for a pre-existing bias.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "reasoned desire" operates as a noun phrase where a participial adjective modifies a noun. According to Ludwig, this structure allows for a high degree of precision when describing complex mental states that involve both the cognitive and affective faculties.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science & Philosophy

55%

Academia

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

A wrap-up of the linguistic data suggests that "reasoned desire" is an elegant and precise phrase used to describe motivations grounded in logic. While Ludwig AI indicates it is relatively rare in everyday speech, it is a staple of high-level discourse in philosophy and psychology. It effectively bridges the historical gap between "reason" and "desire"—two concepts often viewed as opposites. By combining them, writers can describe a state where the intellect and the heart are in alignment. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports its sophisticated tone, and avoid using it as a mere synonym for a simple preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rational wish

Focuses on the cognitive process rather than the intensity of the feeling

considered aspiration

Suggests a goal reached after careful deliberation and planning

deliberate longing

Emphasizes the intentional nature of the emotional state

thoughtful urge

Softens the intensity of 'desire' while maintaining the intellectual root

intellectual craving

Highlights a visceral need that is born from mental stimulation

calculated appetite

Implies a strategic or precisely measured level of wanting

justified wanting

Focuses on the external or internal reasons that validate the desire

logical preference

A more neutral, less emotional alternative to describe a choice

meditated impulse

A paradoxical phrase suggesting an urge that has been reflected upon

principled objective

Moves away from emotion entirely toward moral or logical goals

FAQs

What does the phrase "reasoned desire" mean?

It refers to a feeling of wanting or longing that is based on logical evidence and careful deliberation rather than pure instinct or emotion. You might use it in a sentence like 'Her career change was not a whim but a "reasoned desire" to find more meaningful work'.

Can I use "rational desire" instead of "reasoned desire"?

Yes, "rational desire" is a very close synonym often used in ethics and philosophy. While "reasoned" suggests the process of thinking, "rational" suggests the quality of being sensible.

Is "reasoned desire" formal?

Yes, it is highly formal and most commonly found in academic journals, philosophical texts and literary essays. For more casual writing, you might prefer "thought-out want" or "deliberate choice".

What is the difference between a "reasoned desire" and a "whim"?

The main difference is the involvement of the intellect. A "whim" is sudden and capricious, while a "reasoned desire" is stable and supported by logical arguments.