Word

rationalism

noun C1

/ˈɹæʃ(ə)nəlɪzəm/

Meanings

noun

the philosophical view that reason and logic are the primary sources of knowledge, rather than sense experience alone

rationalism: the philosophical view that reason and logic are the primary sources of knowledge, rather than sense experience…

noun

an approach that emphasizes logical analysis and systematic reasoning in explaining ideas or making decisions

Definition

Rationalism is the belief that reason is the main source of knowledge and the best guide to understanding reality.

Rationalism is a philosophical view that puts human reason at the center of gaining knowledge. It argues that some truths can be known through logic and thinking, not only through observation or experience. In debates, it is often contrasted with empiricism, which emphasizes evidence from the senses. Rationalism has influenced modern science, ethics, and political theory by stressing clear arguments and first principles.

Examples

In her seminar paper, she defended rationalism by arguing that certain mathematical truths do not depend on sensory evidence.
I used rationalism to challenge my first impression and test whether my conclusion followed logically from the premises.
They criticized rationalism for overlooking how strongly perception and culture shape what people count as knowledge.
After the lecture, he contrasted rationalism with empiricism and explained why the distinction still matters in contemporary philosophy.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse rationalism with simply being “rational,” but rationalism is a specific philosophical theory about the sources of knowledge.