This course aims to philosophically reflect on the debates surrounding rationality and irrationality across different cultures, using the "apparent irrationality problem" as a central theme. We will explore how practices and beliefs deemed irrational in one cultural context may be perfectly rational in another, delving into the factors that shape this distinction. The course will critically examine which aspects of rationality are "condition-bound" (influenced by contextual and cultural factors) and which are universal and intrinsic to the concept of rationality itself. Through the lenses of philosophical neopragmatism and cultural-evolutionary theory, we will bridge perspectives from the social sciences with philosophical analysis to illuminate the complex nature of human action and thought. This interdisciplinary approach will give students a deeper understanding of how rationality is shaped, perceived, and practiced globally.
- Enseignant: Martin Paleček