A Systematic Review of Rationality (Concept, Classification, Opinions and Views of experts) in Social Sciences with Emphasis on Management

Extended Abstract
 
Introduction and Objectives: Rationality is a fundamental concept in philosophy, natural sciences, and social sciences that plays a role in both theoretical and applied dimensions. “Reason” has undergone a transformation in its historical course from theoretical reason in the “Platonic-Aristotelian tradition” to modern instrumental reason. The concept of rationality as one of the central concepts in the humanities has complex dimensions and is derived from the French language (Arastekho, 2002, p. 681); however, “rationality” or “rational aspects” has many derivatives, all of which are derived from this word. Rationalization is a process by which realities and activities are placed within the scope of the dominance of reason. In fact, rationality is considered to be meaningful in a specific context (Turner, 2006: 145). Therefore, it can be said that a rational act is an act that convinces and convinces the power of reason or human reasoning; In this sense, reasoning is based on thinking and is different from feelings and emotions (Danaeifard et al., 2010; quoted by Snellen). One of the major challenges that researchers and theorists in this field face is the lack of a unified understanding of the concept of rationality and its related aspects. In general, the main question of this research is: “What is rationality and the aspects related to what has characteristics?”; The purpose of this research is to provide the audience with a better understanding of various aspects of rationality by relying on the study and collection of literature and theoretical background in the field of social sciences.
Research Method: In the field of applied research, there are several methods, each of which may be assigned different names depending on the characteristics of the research questions and the specific situations and conditions of the study. The most important of these studies are: case studies, historical, descriptive, exploratory, longitudinal and cross-sectional, field, laboratory, experimental and post-event, correlational and congruent, real and quasi-experimental. Descriptive research method is one of the most basic forms of research. This research, at the bottom of the research hierarchy pyramid and with a descriptive-analytical approach, examines rationality in terms of its application in social sciences. The fact that descriptive research is at the bottom of the research pyramid does not mean that it is unimportant, unscientific or worthless. This type of research describes phenomena in our world. These descriptions can be about basic information, activities, behaviors and fundamental changes in phenomena. The present research is of a descriptive-analytical type and has attempted to examine the concept of rationality and the issues and phenomena related to it with a systematic approach. In this direction, the views and opinions of prominent scholars in this field and their analysis and classification have been the researchers’ approach in this research. The main goal of this research is to accurately describe the concept of rationality, the opinions and views of experts in the field of rationality and related concepts.
Research findings: First, different categories of rationality were presented, which were defined in different ways, depending on the differences in symbols, values, and culture of different societies:

Practical rationality → Tactical response to environmental obstacles; realistic strategies.
Formal rationality → A tool for standardizing decision-making; suitable for bureaucratic organization.
Theoretical rationality → The development of complex analytical systems for prediction and evaluation.
Value rationality → Inspiring social and cultural developments and the basis for value strategies in politics or religion.

Finally, one of the conventional categories of value/substantive rationality and instrumental rationality and their characteristics were stated. After presenting the comprehensive model of rationality, the views of a number of thinkers and experts in the field of rationality were presented, and at the end, their opinions and thoughts based on the definition, purpose, and perspective are presented as follows:
A summary of Habermas’s view, including his definition, purpose, and perspective on rationality
Definition: Instrumental reason is a form of rationality.
Purpose: Control and engineering processes and phenomena
View: Man is an instrumental animal and at the same time a rational being; in contrast, instrumental reason proposes the concept of communicative reason with communicative action.
A summary of Durkheim’s view, including his definition, purpose, and perspective on rationality
Definition: Durkheim’s interpretation of rationality is the opposite of the positivist interpretation.
Purpose: Theorizing with rational methods and (empirical confirmation) instead of empirical inference
View: The rational ideal of the Enlightenment is the main factor in the existence and corruption of modern society.
A summary of Weber’s view, including his definition, purpose, and view of rationality
Definition: Complexity in the administrative, social, and economic system, the emergence of an extensive division of labor and the predictability of social and economic life, and human use of tools
Objective: 1. Rational action in which the agent acts for the sake of profit and is aware of the effect of his action; 2. Irrational action in which the agent is aware of the effect of his action and does not seek benefit.
View: Rationality is divided into two types: theoretical (referring to rationality in the sciences) and practical (the criteria by which man tries to control the environment).
A summary of Lukács’ view, including his definition, purpose, and view of rationality
Definition: In capitalism, human relations are transformed into commodity relations, and modern rationality promotes objectification.
Objective: It seeks to resolve the contradictions of action.
Viewpoint: From Lukács’s perspective, reason is worthy of its name when all non-rational elements are gathered into a coherent system.
A summary of Heidegger’s view, including his definition, purpose, and view of rationality
Definition: The definition of rationality is subject to change and transformation.
Objective: Modern technology, which relies on instrumental rationality, is a symbol of the oblivion of existence.
Viewpoint: A call for ontological rethinking
A summary of Nietzsche’s view, including his definition, purpose, and view of rationality
Definition: Instrumental reason is separate from real life and does not order human experience.
Objective: Every view we have is an angle of truth.
Viewpoint: Instrumental reason is the criterion of view.
A summary of Schopenhauer’s view, including his definition, purpose, and view of rationality
Definition: Reason is considered a servant of the will.
Purpose: It does not promote the ideal of a rational system in the world in any way.
Viewpoint: It rejects the rationalist theories of Hegel and other philosophers and points to the importance of the will and its role in shaping reality in human life.
Discussion and Conclusion:Rationality has long been considered the backbone of management theories; however, the excessive emphasis on complete rationality in neoclassical management and economics created a gap between theory and organizational reality. Herbert Simon, criticizing this view, introduced the concept of “bounded rationality” that paid attention to the cognitive and environmental conditions of the factors in the decision-making process.
Simon, believing in bounded rationality, summarizes it in the following limitations:

Cognitive limitations: memory, attention, and information processing capacity.
Informational constraints: incomplete access to data and decision outcomes.
Time constraints: the need to make decisions within the framework of organizational scheduling.

Simon (1957) showed that managers are forced to “satisfy” rather than maximize; that is, they accept an option that is “good enough.”
In Islamic philosophy, reason has a special place and is emphasized as one of the sources of knowledge and guidance of man towards perfection and happiness. Along with revelation and tradition, reason is considered to be two essential elements in explaining and promoting religious teachings and a correct understanding of the Sharia. In Islamic philosophy, reason is divided into two main types: theoretical reason (al-‘aql al-nazrī) and practical reason (al-‘aql al-‘amlī).
The subject of theoretical reason is related to the truths of things without addressing how actions are performed, and its goal is to fully understand and interpret the cause and effect of the universe, while practical reason is related to human action.
Acknowledgements: “I dedicate this article to my parents and my beloved teacher, who paved the way for me with their patience and love.”