rationalism
/ˈɹæʃ(ə)nəlɪzəm/ noun
Forms rationalisms
- noun (philosophy) The theory that reason is a source of knowledge independent of and superior to sense perception.
- noun (philosophy) The theory that knowledge may be derived by deductions from a priori concepts (such as axioms, postulates or earlier deductions).
- noun A view that the fundamental method for problem solving is through reason and experience rather than faith, inspiration, revelation, intuition or authority.
- noun Elaboration of theories by use of reason alone without appeal to experience, such as in mathematical systems.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
Cf. F. rationalisme.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The doctrine or system of those who deduce their religious opinions from reason or the understanding, as distinct from, or opposed to, revelation.
- noun The system that makes rational power the ultimate test of truth; --opposed to sensualism, or sensationalism, and empiricism.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “rationalism”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details