Special Rationality

A tailored system of reasoning used to justify actions or beliefs in a specific, often high-stakes or identity-linked, context. This rationality may include unique axioms or weightings of evidence that would not pass muster in general discourse but feel completely compelling within the special frame.

Example: "The cult leader's special rationality was airtight to his followers: 'The spacecraft is invisible to non-believers because their vibrations are low. The fact you can't see it with telescopes proves you need our cleansing ritual.' Within the special framework, the lack of evidence became the strongest evidence."

Special Rationality by AbzuInExile January 31, 2026