Rationalism: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ง
rationalism
[ หrรฆสษหnษlษชzษm ]
philosophy
Rationalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the role of reason in understanding the world. It asserts that reason, rather than sensory experience, is the primary source of knowledge. Rationalists believe that certain concepts and knowledge are innate and can be discovered through intellectual deduction. This approach contrasts with empiricism, which emphasizes observation and experience as the pathways to knowledge.
Synonyms
intellectualism, logical thought, reasoning
Examples of usage
- Rationalism contrasts with empiricism.
- Many philosophers identified with rationalism.
- Rationalism advocates for the power of human reason.
- In rationalism, innate ideas play a crucial role.
Translations
Translations of the word "rationalism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น racionalismo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฏเคฅเคพเคฐเฅเคฅเคตเคพเคฆ
๐ฉ๐ช Rationalismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ rasionalisme
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐััะพะฝะฐะปัะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ racjonalizm
๐ฏ๐ต ๅ็ไธป็พฉ
๐ซ๐ท rationalisme
๐ช๐ธ racionalismo
๐น๐ท rasyonalizm
๐ฐ๐ท ํฉ๋ฆฌ์ฃผ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุนููุงููุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ racionalismus
๐ธ๐ฐ racionalizmus
๐จ๐ณ ็ๆงไธปไน
๐ธ๐ฎ racionalizem
๐ฎ๐ธ rationalismi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐัะธะพะฝะฐะปะธะทะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แ แแชแแแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ rasyonalizm
๐ฒ๐ฝ racionalismo
Word origin
The term 'rationalism' originates from the Latin word 'ratio', meaning 'reason' or 'calculation'. It became prominent during the 17th century, particularly in the context of Enlightenment thinking. Key figures associated with rationalism include Renรฉ Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Descartes famously mentioned 'Cogito, ergo sum' ('I think, therefore I am') to emphasize the importance of reason. The movement sought to develop knowledge through principles derived from rational thought, rather than sensory experiences. Rationalism played a crucial role in shaping modern philosophy and science, challenging previously dominant ideas grounded in superstition and tradition. Over time, it has influenced various areas, including ethics, politics, and epistemology.