A Pre-Logical Model of Rationality

Abstract

The nurturance of rationality is among the fundamental goals of education, but one that is not likely to be effectively pursued on the basis of prevalent notions of rationality. In particular, rationality is sometimes wittingly, more often unthinkingly, equated with logic, and the nurturance of rationality is correspondingly equated with the teaching of valid logical rules. I wish to argue that logic cannot be a valid explication of rationality and that teaching logical rules cannot effectively nurture rationality