practical reason

American  

noun

1. (in Kantian ethics) reason applied to the problem of action and choice, especially in ethical matters.

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practical reason British  

noun

1. the faculty by which human beings determine how to act

2. reasoning concerning the relative merits of actions

3. the principles governing arguments which issue in actions or intentions to act

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Etymology

Origin of practical reason

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

practical reason

Mr Taylor, who has written about Scottish personal names and place-names, said there was a good practical reason behind the tradition.

From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2025

Many real-life animals known as hematophages that sustain themselves on blood for a more practical reason — survival.

From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2024

The king had a practical reason for his obsessions: Following the plague that killed tens of millions of people in the Middle Ages in Europe, people feared that hot water could spread infection.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2023

So there was a practical reason for Wainright’s change of plans.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2023

I never sought to undermine Mr. de Klerk, for the practical reason that the weaker he was, the weaker the negotiations process.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela