IVIV, That co-optation theme, again? p.30

[David Payne]

On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 (06:22:59 -0700), Mark Kohut (markekohut at yahoo.com) wrote:

> Alice writes of rationalization, a key concept given much meaning by Max Weber, one of TRPs influences, as Weber wrote about 'the rationalization of charisma, among much else.
> 
> Anyone have OED access, or M-W, 3rd, to give us the usage citations and growth of the word?

If you have a library card, you probably have access to the OED online. If you're not sure how, ask your reference librarian. They're generally great people who enjoy interesting questions.
 
Meanwhile, I'm glad to look words up, either on or off list.
 
Rationalization (from the OED online):
 
Definition (1.a.): Math. The process of removing irrational quantities from a mathematical expression, equation, etc.; the conversion of an expression, function, etc., into rational form. 
 
Usage (1.b): 1831 J. HYMERS Treat. Integral Calculus III. 56 Rationalization... This transformation can be effected only in particular cases depending upon the form of u. 1853 A. CAYLEY in Cambr. & Dubl. Math. Jrnl. 8 97 (title) On the rationalisation of certain algebraical equations. 1921 Ann. Math. 23 37 The process of rationalization is exceedingly laborious for all but the lower values of q. 1964 Chrystal's Algebra (ed. 7) I. x. 193 It is often more important to work out the rationalisation by successive steps, instead of using at once the factor as given by the rule. 2000 Amer. Math. Monthly 102 835 Perhaps the first to see why rationalisation might be impossible was Jakob Bernoulli, who noted that a rationalisation of (1-x4)..would violate Fermat's theorem.
    
Definition (1.b.): Physics. The reformulation of the units, equations, and definitions of electromagnetism so that the factor 4 is removed from those relating to systems without spherical symmetry. Cf. RATIONAL adj. 7c, RATIONALIZED adj. 2. 
 
Usage (1.b.): 1891 O. HEAVISIDE in Electrician 16 Oct. 656/2 When..the real advantages of the rational system become widely recognized and thoroughly assimilated, then will come a demand for the rationalisation of the practical units. 1942 Philos. Mag. 33 486 The simplification of formulæ due to rationalization can be illustrated by considering a parallel plate condenser. 1951 Electr. Engin. 70 332/2 A 4 was inserted in the denominator of the classical expression for force between parallel wires to accomplish rationalization, and that the elimination of 4 from the magnetomotive force relation followed. 1997 G. S. SMITH Introd. Classical Electromagnetic Radiation 611 The factors 1/4 and 1/2 are written separately, rather than being included in the constants k1 and k3, respectively. This process, known as rationalization, is used to keep factors of 4 from appearing in Maxwell's equations.

Definition (2.a.): The action or an act of making rational or intelligible, or of justifying or explaining away on a rational basis; an instance of this. 
 
Usage (2.a.): 1846 J. RUSKIN Mod. Painters (ed. 3) I. 129 The two Carthages are mere rationalizations of Claude. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 556 The rationalization which explains the legend. 1918 Mod. Lang. Notes 33 404 The Grail drawbridge may be something more than a mechanical contrivance, may be, in fact, a rationalization of a ‘perilous passage’. 1965 H. STERN & D. L. NANNEY Biol. of Cells xix. 529 The concept of the plasmagene, a gene-like cytoplasmic element capable of differential assortment and replication during development, provided a possible means of rationalization. 1981 L. DEIGHTON XPD xlvi. 376 Rationalization being man's only natural genius, it was not long before he was able to convince himself. 2006 J. DANVERS Picturing Mind iv. 95 [They] point to a state before words, concepts, rationalisation and description, a non-symbolic engagement with what is.

Definition (2.b.): Psychol. The (usually unwitting) justification, to oneself or others, of one's behaviour or attitude with plausible but specious reasons, esp. as a means of seeking social acceptability; an instance of this. 
 
Usage (2.b.): 1886 S. COIT in Mind July 330 We find that certain psychological laws of the emotions and will would make universal happiness an impracticable aim. The notion of it..would require a high degree of rationalization in a man in order to take hold of his imagination and stir his enthusiasm. 1908 Jrnl. Abnormal Psychol. 3 166 Two different groups of false explanations can be distinguished..according as they are formed mainly for private or mainly for public consumption. The former of these I would term ‘evasions’, the latter ‘rationalisations’. 1924 J. RIVIERE et al. tr. Freud Coll. Papers I. 341 His [sc. Adler's] theory does what all patients do..namely, makes use of a rationalization, as Jones has called it, in order to conceal unconscious motives. 1947 E. F. FRAZIER in Amer. Sociol. Rev. 12 271 A dynamic sociological theory of race relations which will discard all the rationalizations of race prejudice. 1961 H. BONNER Psychol. of Personality ix. 281 The term ‘rationalization’ has become a household word. It is essentially a method of self-justification. It is motivated by the fear of criticism and disapproval by others. 1994 sub-TERRAIN Fall 9/1 Unless you take full part in the therapy and don't walk around with some kind of bizarre rationalization in your head that precludes your recognizing when you're getting that old-time rapist feeling again you pose a danger to public safety.

Definition (3.): Chiefly Econ. and Sociol. The action, fact, or process of applying rational methods of analysis or planning to economic or social organization, esp. in order to achieve maximum profitability or efficiency; spec. the reorganization of a business, industry, etc., so as to reduce or eliminate waste of labour, time, or materials; an instance of this. 
 
 
Usage (3.): 1875 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 11 July 1/2 The nature of the commodities exchanged will be determined at intervals by the Supreme Board of Government. This will be an important step in the rationalization of business. 1921 E. PAUL & C. PAUL tr. Rathenau In Days to Come III. i. 125 The general wellbeing of the country is doubled or trebled by the setting of idle hands to work and by the rationalisation of production. 1934 P. PETROFF & I. PETROFF Secret of Hitler's Victory iii. 38 The soullessness of modern labour, which had reached its climax in consequence of the rationalization, became the outstanding feature of the whole period. 1936 H. A. PHELPS Princ. & Laws of Sociol. xx. 424 A compensating general trend is the increasing rationalization of social life. 1947 A. M. HENDERSON & T. PARSONS tr. M. Weber Theory Social & Econ. Organiz. i. 112 One of the most important aspects of the process of ‘rationalization’ of action is the substitution for the unthinking acceptance of ancient custom, of deliberate adaptation to situations in terms of self-interest. 1976 Star (Sheffield) 20 Nov., The company had announced ‘rationalisation’ plans meaning the closure of the Dronfield works. 2004 C. P. SHAW Whisky (new ed.) Introd. 7 A review of the years since the first edition (published in 1993) shows an industry that has faced a series of constant challenges:..consolidation and rationalization of the industry by remote, multi-national companies with headquarters..thousands of miles away.
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