rationalism

Meanings

Plural: rationalisms

Noun

• (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is acquired by reason without resort to experience
• the theological doctrine that human reason rather than divine revelation establishes religious truth
• the doctrine that reason is the right basis for regulating conduct
• The theory that the 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).
• A view that the fundamental method for problem solving is through reason and experience rather than faith, inspiration, revelation, intuition or authority.
• Elaboration of theories by use of reason alone without appeal to experience, such as in mathematical systems.

Synonyms

apriorism, freethinking, intellectualism

Antonyms

irrationalism, mysticism, sensationalism, traditionalism

Related Words

empiricism, rationalist, rationality