Set

   Share on Facebook  
Believer  #370109  Fri, 25 May 07 02:37 AM

Hi,

According to my Collins/Cobuild Compact English Learner's Dictionary, the definition of the word 'rationale' is listed as "The rationale for a course of action or a belief is the set of reasons on which it is based."

My question is "Why is it 'set'?"  Does it  mean that 'rationale' should always consist of more than one reason?

  
Top 50 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Jan 2 2006
Contributing Member (1,969)
Clive  #370118  Fri, 25 May 07 03:06 AM

Hi,

According to my Collins/Cobuild Compact English Learner's Dictionary, the definition of the word 'rationale' is listed as "The rationale for a course of action or a belief is the set of reasons on which it is based."

My question is "Why is it 'set'?"  Does it  mean that 'rationale' should always consist of more than one reason? In very general terms, I think this is true. One simple reason would not normally be termed a 'rationale', which suggests something with at least a bit of length and complexity.

In more rigorously logical/mathematical terms, I believe a set can consist of only one thing, so to some extent that meaning is also available here.

Best wishes, Clive

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (22,565)
ModeratorTeachers
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL Vocabulary and Idioms
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service