jsalvatier comments on Note on Terminology: "Rationality", not "Rationalism" - Less Wrong

28 Post author: Vladimir_Nesov 14 January 2011 09:21PM

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Comment author: jsalvatier 14 January 2011 09:37:33PM 2 points [-]

I agree that 'rationalism' has undesirable connotations.

'rationalist' also has these connotations, but I am not sure what other name I should call someone who devotes themselves to 'rationality'. Ideas?

Comment author: Zack_M_Davis 15 January 2011 12:17:58AM 2 points [-]

I use aspiring rationalist a lot.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 14 January 2011 09:56:42PM 2 points [-]

As below, I think it's the correct word. That said, if we're looking for a better word for signaling purposes, I propose "clear-thinker" (modeled on "free-thinker").

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 14 January 2011 10:07:21PM *  4 points [-]

"clear-thinker"

A rationalist works on improving their thinking, but of course, being merely human, never actually thinks clearly.

Comment author: endoself 16 January 2011 02:27:31AM *  0 points [-]

What is wrong with free-thinker? Does it connote more emphasis on atheism as opposed to rationality in general?

Comment author: TheOtherDave 16 January 2011 07:06:13AM 1 point [-]

Huh. Now that you mention it, I don't know... it mostly just feels outdated, I guess, which is not in and of itself a reason to discard it.

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 14 January 2011 09:55:09PM *  2 points [-]

"Rationalist" looks OK, with less undesirable connotational impact than "rationalism". (Compare: scientist, physicist.)

(Added to the post.)