Meaning & use
rationalism
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountableformaltechnical
The philosophical view that reason is the main source of knowledge and truth, rather than experience or faith.
Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: 'Rationalism holds that...' not 'a rationalism'.
Patterns
- rationalism holds that ...
- a form of rationalism
- the rationalism of Descartes
Rationalism claims that some truths can be known by reason alone, without relying on the senses.
In the history of ideas, rationalism is often contrasted with empiricism.
Her book examines the rationalism of seventeenth-century European philosophers.
noununcountabledisapproving
A belief or approach that emphasizes logical thinking and rejects emotion or tradition.
Grammar: Often used in a critical way about systems or attitudes, not about individual people.
Patterns
- economic rationalism
- the rationalism of ...
- a kind of rationalism
Critics say the economic rationalism of the 1980s ignored the human cost of reform.
His cold rationalism left little room for compassion in policy decisions.
Common combinations
- rationalism holds that
- Rationalism holds that reason, not experience, gives us our surest knowledge.
- contrast rationalism with empiricism
- The lecture contrasted rationalism with empiricism.
- a form of rationalism
- Kant's philosophy is sometimes described as a form of rationalism.
- economic rationalism
- Economic rationalism led to widespread privatization.
Synonyms and how they differ
- logicism
- A narrower view that mathematics can be reduced to logic; rationalism is broader and about knowledge in general.
- intellectualism
- Emphasizes the role of the intellect, but does not necessarily claim reason is the primary source of knowledge.
Opposites
Word family
- rationalist noun
- A person who supports rationalism.
- rationalistic adjective
- Relating to or typical of rationalism.
- rational adjective
- Based on clear thought and reason.
- rationality noun
- The quality of being based on reason.
Commonly confused: rationalism or rationalization?
rationalism vs rationalization
A rationalization is a false excuse you create; rationalism is a philosophical belief about knowledge.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'rationalism' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Rationalism' is an uncountable noun naming a philosophical view, so it fits sentence B. An and C need the verb 'rationalize' or the noun 'rationalization', and D would need 'rationalization' for a specific action.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rationalism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.