Wie werden Begründungen gebildet und wie werden sie möglich? Über Funktionsweise und Struktur von Rationalität.

Abstract

Generally speaking, rationality or reason is the main object of study of this thesis: What does rationality mean, what does being reasonable mean? Four main aspects of the concept of rationality will be outlined: The historical-ideological background of rationality, the anthropological connotation of the concept, the notion of reason or rationality as a practice of giving and asking for reasons and its essential relevance for the human form of life. Afterwards, on the one hand, the function of rationality - understood as the practice of giving and asking for reasons - will be examined in detail: How are reasons formed? Empirical evidence of cognitive psychology studies will be analyzed as well as criticized and in analysis of theories of epistemic justification the idea of an institutionalized internalism will be presented. On the other hand, based on this analysis, the structure of rationality shall be considered: How is the formation of reasons generally possible? Capabilities, which enable the practice of giving and asking for reasons, shall be suggested. In the end, the question remains: How did this practice of reasoning evolve? Evolutionary findings of cognitive ethology try to explain how objectivity and the objective mind of the reasoning human might have come into being.