Theory of the Elasticity of Rationality

A meta-framework examining how conceptions of rationality stretch across history, culture, and discipline. The Elasticity of Rationality studies how rationality has been defined—from Platonic reason to economic rationality to ecological rationality—and how these definitions stretch under pressure from new contexts. It asks: what are the limits of rationality's stretch? When does a new conception break rather than stretch? How does rationality recover from its own excesses (rationality used to justify oppression)? It's rationality reflecting on its own history and possibilities.

Theory of the Elasticity of Rationality "Economic rationality assumed perfect information and self-interest—then behavioral economics stretched it to include heuristics, biases, social preferences. Theory of the Elasticity of Rationality says that's how rationality evolves: stretching to accommodate new evidence, new contexts. The question isn't whether it's rational; it's how far the concept can stretch."

Theory of the Elasticity of Rationality by Nammugal March 4, 2026