reasoning

n. process of drawing conclusions, process of making inferences through logical thinking

v. think, consider logically; support a claim with reasons, justify by giving reasons; argue, claim

Reasoning is the mental (cognitive) process of looking for reasons for beliefs, conclusions, actions or feelings. Humans have the ability to engage in reasoning about their own reasoning using introspection. Different forms of such reflection on reasoning occur in different fields. In philosophy, the study of reasoning typically focuses on what makes reasoning efficient or inefficient, appropriate or inappropriate, good or bad. Philosophers do this by either examining the form or structure of the reasoning within arguments, or by considering the broader methods used to reach particular goals of reasoning. Psychologists and cognitive scientists, in contrast, tend to study how people reason, which brain processes are engaged, and how the reasoning is influenced by the structure of the brain. Specific forms of reasoning are also studied by mathematicians and lawyers.
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Reasoning Medtalk The thought process behind an action. See Case-based reasoning, Symbolic reasoning. [more]Reasoning - Community and Resources

Noun
1. thinking that is coherent and logical
(synonym) logical thinking, abstract thought
(hypernym) thinking, thought, cerebration, intellection, mentation
(hyponym) analysis, analytic thinking
(derivation) reason
Adjective
1. endowed with the capacity to reason
(synonym) intelligent, reasoning(a), thinking(a)
(similar) rational

Noun
1. a rational motive for a belief or action; "the reason that war was declared"; "the grounds for their declaration"
(synonym) ground
(hypernym) rational motive
(hyponym) occasion
(derivation) reason out, conclude
2. an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon; "the reason a steady state was never reached was that the back pressure built up too slowly"
(hypernym) explanation, account
3. the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination; "we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil"
(synonym) understanding, intellect
(hypernym) faculty, mental faculty, module
4. the state of having good sense and sound judgment; "his rationality may have been impaired"; "he had to rely less on reason than on rousing their emotions"
(synonym) rationality, reasonableness
(hypernym) sanity, saneness
(derivation) argue
5. a justification for something existing or happening; "he had no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice"
(synonym) cause, grounds
(hypernym) justification
6. a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion; "there is reason to believe he is lying"
(hypernym) fact
(hyponym) indication
Verb
1. decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion; "We reasoned that it was cheaper to rent than to buy a house"
(synonym) reason out, conclude
(hypernym) think, cogitate, cerebrate
(hyponym) induce
(derivation) rationality, reasonableness
2. present reasons and arguments
(synonym) argue
(hypernym) present, represent, lay out
(hyponym) re-argue
(derivation) rationality, reasonableness
3. think logically; "The children must learn to reason"
(hypernym) think, cogitate, cerebrate
(hyponym) rationalize away, rationalise away
(derivation) understanding, intellect

(p. pr. & vb. n.)
of Reason
  

(n.)
The act or process of adducing a reason or reasons; manner of presenting one's reasons.
  

(n.)
That which is offered in argument; proofs or reasons when arranged and developed; course of argument.