Editor’s introduction and situating the appraisal of rationality

As well as explaining the basis for, and linking the thematic structure of the contributions to, the Journal of Management History ‐ Special Issue on the topic of rationality, the article appraises the philosophical trichotomisation (or three‐part division) of epistemology. Recognising that rationality is primarily a philosophical concept, but also an esteemed and iconic indicator for good reasoning, the discussion of the trichotomised epistemology is undertaken to illustrate that rationality is conceptually understood in three different forms. From the observation that rationality has to be conceived as trimorphic, the commentary then illustrates the substantive limitations for each form.