Advice Quote by John Quiggin
“The term "rational" and its variants (rationality, rationalism) are used in a lot of contexts in economic debate, both positively and negatively, but nearly always sloppily or dishonestly. A specimen I've seen on more occasions than I can count is the line (usually presented with a sense of witty originality) "if you are opposed to economic rationalism, you must be in favor of economic irrationalism"... I've come to the conclusion that the word "rational" has no meaning that cannot better be conveyed by some alternative term and that the best advice is probably to avoid it altogether.”
About This Quote
The term “rational” is overused and vague in economics, often misapplied, suggesting it should be avoided for clarity.
In simple terms: Rationality is a sloppy buzzword in economic debates.
Key Takeaway
Use clearer, specific language.
Themes
economics
language
clarity
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- policy discussion
- academic writing
- public discourse
- teaching economics
- debate preparation
Key Concepts
semantic precision
conceptual analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives convey the same idea?
- How does vague terminology affect policy?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue the term still has useful shorthand.
