ra·tion·al·ism (r sh  -n-l z m)n. 1. Reliance on reason as the best guide for belief and action. 2. Philosophy The theory that the exercise of reason, rather than experience, authority, or spiritual revelation, provides the primary basis for knowledge. ra tion·al·ist n.ra tion·al·istic adj.ra tion·al·isti·cal·ly adv. |
rationalism [ˈræʃənəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. reliance on reason rather than intuition to justify one's beliefs or actions
2. (Philosophy) Philosophy
a. the doctrine that knowledge about reality can be obtained by reason alone without recourse to experience
b. the doctrine that human knowledge can all be encompassed within a single, usually deductive, system
c. the school of philosophy initiated by René Descartes, the French philosopher and mathematician (1596-1650), which held both the above doctrines
3. the belief that knowledge and truth are ascertained by rational thought and not by divine or supernatural revelation
rationalist n
rationalistic adj
rationalistically adv
rationalism
1. the doctrine that knowledge is gained only through the reason, a faculty independent of experience.
2. the doctrine that all knowledge is expressible in self-evident propositions or their consequences. — rationalist, n. — rationalistic, adj.
See also: Philosophy
2. the doctrine that all knowledge is expressible in self-evident propositions or their consequences. — rationalist, n. — rationalistic, adj.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | rationalism - (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is acquired by reason without resort to experience philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy |
| 2. | rationalism - the theological doctrine that human reason rather than divine revelation establishes religious truth theological doctrine - the doctrine of a religious group deism, free thought - the form of theological rationalism that believes in God on the basis of reason without reference to revelation | |
| 3. | rationalism - the doctrine that reason is the right basis for regulating conduct doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school |
Translations
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