Abstract

Standard dual process theories see reason (System 2) as an individual cognitive mechanism able to correct the mistake of intuition (System 1) and to perform as classical rational system, imperfect but not bounded in Simon’s sense. This chapter suggests instead that reason is another intuitive cognitive mechanism, with a specific domain—reasons—and specific functions—to produce and evaluate justifications and arguments in social settings. In this interactionist perspective, reason is a clear instance of bounded rationality, making the best of its social and cognitive environment to find and evaluate reasons. It performs these tasks well enough in the right social and cognitive context, but not otherwise.