The aim of this article is to make a theoretical discussion about the rationality concept and its impacts over the organization's context. Starting from the philosophical influences by notions of reason and rationality, a brief historical and philosophical approach is making, discussing about the duality of two basics notions: logic (thought) and pragmatic (action). On sequence, the rationality concept it's considered with regard to Weber's theory of bureaucracy. After that, the cognitive boundaries of human rationality are considered and the relationships between rationality, legitimacy and institutionalization are overviewed. Finally, rationality is overviewed based on Critical Theory authors like Habermas (1987a), Horkheimer (2002) and Marcuse (1975). In conclusion, this discussion tries to evidence the range and implications of the multiple facets of rationality concept and also brings concepts to go forward the debates about rationality on organizational theory field.
rationality; bureaucracy; legitimacy; institutionalization shared sense