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

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

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2024

The chief practical reason for its existence, he said, was to guarantee peace across the continent.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2023

Sen. Brian Schatz, Democrat from Hawaii, has a more practical reason for liking consensus.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 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