Definitions for rationalism
ˈræʃ ə nlˌɪz əmra·tio·nal·ism

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. rationalismnoun

   (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is acquired by reason without resort to experience

2. rationalismnoun

   the theological doctrine that human reason rather than divine revelation establishes religious truth

3. rationalism, freethinkingnoun

   the doctrine that reason is the right basis for regulating conduct

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. rationalismnoun

   The theory that the basis of knowledge is reason rather than experience, or divine revelation

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Rationalism

   In philosophy, rationalism is the epistemological view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge" or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification". More formally, rationalism is defined as a methodology or a theory "in which the criterion of truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive".In an old controversy, rationalism was opposed to empiricism, where the rationalists believed that reality has an intrinsically logical structure. Because of this, the rationalists argued that certain truths exist and that the intellect can directly grasp these truths. That is to say, rationalists asserted that certain rational principles exist in logic, mathematics, ethics, and metaphysics that are so fundamentally true that denying them causes one to fall into contradiction. The rationalists had such a high confidence in reason that empirical proof and physical evidence were regarded as unnecessary to ascertain certain truths – in other words, "there are significant ways in which our concepts and knowledge are gained independently of sense experience".Different degrees of emphasis on this method or theory lead to a range of rationalist standpoints, from the moderate position "that reason has precedence over other ways of acquiring knowledge" to the more extreme position that reason is "the unique path to knowledge". Given a pre-modern understanding of reason, rationalism is identical to philosophy, the Socratic life of inquiry, or the zetetic (skeptical) clear interpretation of authority (open to the underlying or essential cause of things as they appear to our sense of certainty). In recent decades, Leo Strauss sought to revive "Classical Political Rationalism" as a discipline that understands the task of reasoning, not as foundational, but as maieutic.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. rationalism

   Rationalism is a philosophical doctrine or belief system that emphasizes the use of reason and intellect over sensory experience or faith in acquiring knowledge. It holds that truth should be determined by logic, analysis, and factual evidence rather than by personal belief, tradition or religious teaching. In rationalism, it's believed that certain truths exist and that the intellect can directly grasp these truths through a process of reason-independent sensory experience.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Rationalismnoun

   the doctrine or system of those who deduce their religious opinions from reason or the understanding, as distinct from, or opposed to, revelation

2. Rationalismnoun

   the system that makes rational power the ultimate test of truth; -- opposed to sensualism, or sensationalism, and empiricism

3. Etymology: [Cf. F. rationalisme.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Rationalism

   In epistemology, rationalism is the view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge" or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification." More formally, rationalism is defined as a methodology or a theory "in which the criterion of the truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive." Rationalists believe reality has an intrinsically logical structure. Because of this, rationalists argue that certain truths exist and that the intellect can directly grasp these truths. That is to say, rationalists assert that certain rational principles exist in logic, mathematics, ethics, and metaphysics that are so fundamentally true that denying them causes one to fall into contradiction. Rationalists have such a high confidence in reason that proof and physical evidence are unnecessary to ascertain truth – in other words, "there are significant ways in which our concepts and knowledge are gained independently of sense experience." Because of this belief, empiricism is one of rationalism's greatest rivals. Different degrees of emphasis on this method or theory lead to a range of rationalist standpoints, from the moderate position "that reason has precedence over other ways of acquiring knowledge" to the more extreme position that reason is "the unique path to knowledge." Given a pre-modern understanding of reason, rationalism is identical to philosophy, the Socratic life of inquiry, or the zetetic clear interpretation of authority. In recent decades, Leo Strauss sought to revive "Classical Political Rationalism" as a discipline that understands the task of reasoning, not as foundational, but as maieutic. Rationalism should not be confused with rationality, nor with rationalization.

Etymology and OriginsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Rationalism

   The kind of religion (if it deserved such a name) set up during the French Revolution, when Reason took the place of Faith. The worship of the “Goddess of Reason,” in the person of an actress installed in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, was a fitting illustration of the unreasoning tenet that public worship was opposed to the natural instincts of mankind.

Matched Categories

1. • Doctrine
   • Philosophical Doctrine
   • Philosophy
   • Theological Doctrine

How to pronounce rationalism?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

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   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

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   Australian

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   Indian

   Priya

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   Neerja

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   Zira

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   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

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   Tessa

   South African

How to say rationalism in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of rationalism in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of rationalism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of rationalism in a Sentence

1. Nadine Gordimer:

   If people would forget about utopia! When rationalism destroyed heaven and decided to set it up here on earth, that most terrible of all goals entered human ambition. It was clear there'd be no end to what people would be made to suffer for it.

2. Rupert Sheldrake:

   In no other field of scientific endeavor do otherwise intelligent people feel free to make public claims based on prejudice and ignorance. Yet in relation to psychic phenomena, committed materialists feel free to disregard the evidence and behave irrationally and unscientifically, while claiming to speak in the name of science and reason. They abuse the authority of science and bring rationalism into disrepute.

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=rationalism
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Rationalism
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalism
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationalism
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=rationalism
7. ^ Etymology and Origins
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/54657/pg54657-images.html#:~:text=rationalism