In Chinese culture, 理智 (lǐzhì) is not just a mental faculty; it's a profound virtue. It is closely linked to the Confucian ideal of self-cultivation (修身, xiūshēn), where an individual strives for balance and moderation. A great way to understand its cultural weight is to compare it to the Western concept of “being rational.” In the West, being purely “rational” can sometimes carry a negative connotation of being cold, unemotional, or robotic. However, in China, being 理智 is almost universally seen as a compliment. It doesn't mean you lack emotions; it means you are mature enough to manage your emotions and not let them cloud your judgment. A person with 理智 is considered reliable, wise, and respectable—someone you can trust in a crisis. It's less about a cold, mathematical logic and more about a wise, balanced, and sensible approach to life's challenges.
理智 is a common word used in daily conversation, business, and media. Its connotation is almost always positive when describing someone's character or actions.