What is rationality?

Rationality can be understood in different ways, as highlighted in conversations featuring Eliezer Yudkowsky and other experts. Yudkowsky explains that rationality is often conceptualized as a systematized way of achieving goals or winning. He contrasts this with traditional philosophical interpretations that might focus on abstract mathematical or logical correctness. For instance, he disputes the notion that rationality inherently means losing just because others are not rational, emphasizing that rational decision-making should lead to better outcomes, not predictably worse ones 1.

In another discussion, Dwarkesh Patel touches on rationality in the context of children's development. Here, rationality is defined as the ability to learn, create new knowledge, and engage in logical discussion. Patel suggests that even young children display rationality through their capacity to learn language, challenging the idea that rationality strictly requires formal reasoning skills exclusive to adults 2.