Open AccessThe concept of "rationality" in the practical sphere.
Author(s) -
Carlos Emilio García Duque
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
discusiones filosóficas/discusiones filosoficas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.1
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2462-9596
pISSN - 0124-6127
DOI - 10.17151/difil.2019.20.35.3
Subject(s) - rationality , epistemology , ecological rationality , internalism and externalism , principle of rationality , characterization (materials science) , mathematical economics , economics , philosophy , materials science , nanotechnology
In this paper, I shall attempt a characterization of Smith’s concept of ‘rationality’ in the practical sphere. My goal is to show that Smith’s requirements of rationality (as inspired by Williams) cannot provide a good and workable account of what it means to be a fully rational agent. To this end, I shall examine Williams’ internalist requirement on reason and discuss the main shortcomings of such account of rationality. I shall try to show, also, that Smith’s and Williams’ views on rationality are too restrictive and thus cannot be applied to ordinary agents who deliberate in real life.