Refers to the underlying principle, reason, or natural order of things. Often used in philosophical or explanatory contexts.
There is reason in his actions.
Live according to the natural way of things.
Irregular okurigana usage; rarely seen.
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'.