理性

• 読み: りせい
• ローマ字: risei
• 漢字の分解: 理 (ri) — reason, principle; 性 (sei) — nature, faculty
• 発音: /ɾiseː/

意味

Reason; rationality; intellect. The faculty of logical thinking and self-control that governs behaviour.

A noun referring to rational thought as opposed to emotion (感情) or instinct (本能). 理性的 (rational, reasonable) is a common adjectival form. Losing 理性 implies acting on impulse or passion rather than judgement. A central concept in philosophy and everyday moral discourse in Japan.

例文

1. 激しい怒りに駆られながらも、彼は理性を保った。
2. 理性的な判断がこの局面では不可欠だ。
3. 感情と理性のバランスを取ることが成熟した大人の証しだ。

使い方ガイド

場面: philosophy, psychology, ethics, daily life

トーン: reflective

起源と歴史

A Meiji-era translation of the German Vernunft and Latin ratio, introduced during the adoption of Western philosophy. From 理 (principle, reason) and 性 (nature, faculty).

文化的背景

時代: Meiji–Present

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal