The German philosopher Jürgen Habermas believes that rationality is not imposed on us by the powerful, but rather something we develop and cultivate in conversation with one another.

Jürgen Habermas

A German sociologist and philosopher known for his theory on the public sphere, discourse ethics, and the concept of communicative rationality.

Rationality

Primarily, the ability to think and to act according to goals, plans, and strategies. Rationality is also thinking well and effectively and having good, well-conceived goals, plans, and strategies. In the first instance, rationality is to be contrasted with nonrationality; in the second instance, it is contrasted with irrationality. Worms are nonrational; fools and fanatics are irrational.

Powerful

Pertaining to having great power, influence, or effect.