noun
Refers to the underlying principle, reason, or natural order of things. Often used in philosophical or explanatory contexts.
彼の行動には理がある。
There is reason in his actions.
自然の理に従って生きる。
Live according to the natural way of things.
The reading ことわり is the nominalized form of the classical verb 断る (ことわる), which originally meant 'to reason, to judge'. The kanji 理 means 'principle, logic'.