Taboo “rationality,” please.

Related on OB: Taboo Your Words

I realize this seems odd on a blog about rationality, but I’d like to strongly suggest that commenters make an effort to avoid using the words “rational,” “rationality,” or “rationalist” when other phrases will do. I think we’ve been stretching the words to cover too much meaning, and it’s starting to show.

Here are some suggested substitutions to start you off.

Rationality:

  • truth-seeking

  • probability updates under bayes rule

  • the “winning way”

Rationalist:

  • one who reliably wins

  • one who can reliably be expected to speak truth

Are there any others?