A rationale is the structured chain of reasoning that connects premises to a conclusion in support of a decision, belief, or action. Its parameters are: (1) a sequence of logical or practical steps linking evidence or values to a claim, (2) an orientation toward justification or explanation rather than mere description, and (3) an artifact form — written, spoken, or encoded — that makes the reasoning accessible for evaluation, revision, or transmission. It persists through language, documentation, and the institutional practices of reasoning together.
[formal: rationale | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.48]