The word 理智 is formed through the conceptual fusion of its two component characters: 理 (lǐ), which represents the inherent order, principle, or logical structure of things, the objective "reason" in the universe; and 智 (zhì), which signifies wisdom, discernment, and the faculty of understanding, the subjective, cognitive capacity to perceive and judge. Together, they create a compound idea where the external, structured "principle" (理) is apprehended and applied by the internal faculty of "wisdom" (智), resulting in the holistic concept of "reason" or "rationality", meaning the exercise of sound, objective judgment guided by understanding rather than emotion.