Editing Practical reason (section)

==Overview==
Practical reason is understood by most philosophers as determining a plan of action. [[Thomism|Thomistic]] ethics defines the first principle of practical reason as "good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided."<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/summa/2094.htm#article2 ''Summa Theologiæ'', I-IIª q. 94 a. 2].</ref> For [[Immanuel Kant|Kant]], practical reason has a law-abiding quality because the [[categorical imperative]] is understood to be binding one to one's duty rather than subjective preferences. [[Utilitarianism|Utilitarians]] tend to see reason as an instrument for the satisfactions of wants and needs.

In classical philosophical terms, it is very important to distinguish three domains of human activity: theoretical reason, which investigates the truth of [[Contingency (philosophy)|contingent]] events as well as [[Logical truth|necessary truths]]; practical reason, which determines whether a prospective course of action is worth pursuing; and productive or technical reason, which attempts to find the best means for a given end. [[Aristotle]] viewed philosophical activity as the highest activity of the human being and gave pride of place to [[metaphysics]] or wisdom. Since [[René Descartes|Descartes]] practical judgment and reasoning have been treated with less respect because of the demand for greater certainty and an infallible method to justify beliefs.