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rationalism definition

ra·tion·al·ism (ras̸h′ən əl iz′əm)

noun

  1. the principle or practice of accepting reason as the only authority in determining one's opinions or course of action
  2. Philos. the doctrine that knowledge comes from the intellect in itself without aid from the senses; intellectualism

Etymology: rational + -ism

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rationalism Synonyms

rationalism

n.

humanism, realism, reasoning; see logic, reason 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rationalism Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • period: You can see the last windows, the pure rationalism of the late Perpendicular period, right at the top in the bell-stage.

Converse of object

  • reject: In the Grammar, Newman makes his case for a radically new understanding of human reason, rejecting both Cartesian rationalism and Lockean empiricism.

Preposition: in

  • politics: Oakeshott, M. ( 1948 ), 'The tower of Babel ' , reprinted in Rationalism in Politics.

Adjective modifier

  • constructive: Natural languages are not designed; they are the products mainly of evolutionary rather than constructive rationalism.

Noun used with modifier

  • enlightenment: The answer seemed to be that it was the logic of Enlightenment rationalism itself that gave rise to such barbarism.
rationalism usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"rationalism." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/rationalism>

APA Style

rationalism. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/rationalism

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