rationalism

CEFRC1

/ˈɹæʃ(ə)nəlɪzəm/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

01
noun
The belief that reason is the main source of knowledge.
02
noun
Extra detail
A view that the fundamental method for problem solving is through reason and experience rather than faith, inspiration, revelation, intuition or authority.

Examples

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Deep Dive

Extra meanings

The theory that reason is a source of knowledge independent of and superior to sense perception.
The theory that knowledge may be derived by deductions from a priori concepts (such as axioms, postulates or earlier deductions).
Elaboration of theories by use of reason alone without appeal to experience, such as in mathematical systems.

In context

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The word in print, with each source given in full.

The opinion opposed to mysticism in philosophy is sometimes spoken of as rationalism. Rationalism insists that all our beliefs ought ultimately to find for themselves articulate grounds. Such grounds, for rationalism, must consist of four things: (1) definitely statable abstract principles; (2) definite facts of sensation; (3) definite hypotheses based on such facts; and (4) definite inferences logically drawn.
1902, William James, “Lecture 3”, in The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature […] , New York, N.Y.; London: Longmans, Green, and Co. […], →OCLC

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From rational + -ism.