1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a stage of human thought or culture that precedes the development of formal logic or rational reasoning
Usage: anthropology, philosophy; often used in historical or developmental contexts

Examples

• Anthropologists have studied prelogical thinking patterns in early human societies.
• The prelogical worldview of ancient cultures often relied on myth and ritual rather than empirical evidence.
• Some scholars argue that prelogical modes of thought persist in modern consciousness alongside rational thinking.
• Lévy-Bruhl's theory of prelogical mentality influenced early twentieth-century anthropology.
• Children may exhibit prelogical reasoning before developing abstract logical skills.