practical reason

noun

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

practical reason

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of practical reason¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

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

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There’s probably some very practical reason for it, like funding, but it’s really lovely.

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

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So there’s a practical reason there.

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Mr Brown added: "Bearing in mind the person said they don't keep to the consent procedure because of practical reason, it is not a big leap to say there's lots of other people involved."

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