The word reason generally refers to the mental capacity to think, understand, and form judgments logically. It is the process by which humans draw inferences from known facts or premises to reach conclusions. Reason is considered a defining feature of human cognition and distinguishes rational thought from other forms of understanding, like intuition or faith.
Philosophically, reason has been central in debates on knowledge and ethics. Aristotle defined reason as the "active" and "passive" intellect, suggesting it is the tool for discerning truths of the natural world. Immanuel Kant described reason as central to human experience and moral decision-making, considering it the faculty that helps humans identify universal principles that apply regardless of individual experience.
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