In psychology and logic, rationalization (also known as making excuses) is an unconscious defense mechanism in which perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are logically justified and explained in a rational or logical manner in order to avoid any true explanation, and are made consciously tolerable – or even admirable and superior – by plausible means. Rationalization encourages irrational or unacceptable behavior, motives, or feelings and often involves ad hoc hypothesizing. This process ranges from fully conscious (e.g. to present an external defense against ridicule from others) to mostly subconscious (e.g. to create a block against internal feelings of guilt).

People rationalize for various reasons. Rationalization may differentiate the original deterministic explanation of the behavior or feeling in question. Sometimes rationalization occurs when we think we know ourselves better than we do. It is also an informal fallacy of reasoning.

Verb

to rationalize (third-person singular simple present rationalizes, present participle rationalizing, simple past and past participle rationalized)

1. To make something rational
2. To justify an immoral act, or illogical behaviour. “The process of thought by which one justifies a discreditable act, and by which one offers to oneself and the world a better motive for one's action than the true motive”
3. (mathematics) To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.
4. To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles.

References

1. ^ 1949 [September 1942], Funk, Wilfred; Lewis, Norman, “4 - Words for Mature Minds”, in 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary, New York: Washington Square Press, page p.29:

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