As commonly used, as in I’m a rationalist, the self-proclaimed rationalist intends to imply traits and ways of thinking they may or may not actually follow. Rat

As commonly used, as in I’m a rationalist, the self-proclaimed rationalist intends to imply traits and ways of thinking they may or may not actually follow. Rationalist implies rational, intelligent, introspective. Other examples: I am a stoic, I am a Christian. In other words more often a pose or piece of a vague identity than a seriously thought-through philosophy and approach to life. Rationalist is quickly becoming a synonym for pompous. Telling people I’m a musician usually works better in most social contexts to make yourself seem interesting.