rationalism
noun
ra·tio·nal·ism
| \ ˈrash-nə-ˌli-zəm
, ˈra-shə-nə-ˌli-\
, ˈra-shə-nə-ˌli-\
Definition of rationalism
1
: reliance on reason as the basis for establishment of religious truth
2a
: a theory that reason is in itself a source of knowledge superior to and independent of sense perceptions
b
: a view that reason and experience rather than the nonrational are the fundamental criteria in the solution of problems
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Other Words from rationalism
rationalist
\ ˈrash-nə-list
, ˈra-shə-nə-list \
noun
, ˈra-shə-nə-list \
noun
rationalist
or rationalistic \ ˌrash-nə-ˈli-tik
, ˌra-shə-nə-ˈli- \
adjective
, ˌra-shə-nə-ˈli- \
adjective
rationalistically
\ ˌrash-nə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē
, ˌra-shə-nə-ˈli- \
adverb
, ˌra-shə-nə-ˈli- \
adverb
Examples of rationalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For critics like John Gray, the Enlightenment’s self-satisfied rationalism and belief in progress were bound to fuel notions of racial and civilizational hierarchy, and can be linked to twentieth-century totalitarianism. — Kwame Anthony Appiah, The New York Review of Books, "Dialectics of Enlightenment," 9 May 2019 And its toll continues: liberal rationalism is, in Gray’s view, an impoverished creed that has asphyxiated richer forms of life. — Kwame Anthony Appiah, The New York Review of Books, "Dialectics of Enlightenment," 9 May 2019 With people of faith squaring off against those who believe in scientific rationalism, just put the politics aside. — John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "England's Baby Alfie and the politics of life," 27 Apr. 2018 His rationalism must be seen within a wider context. — Eric Ormsby, WSJ, "Why History Goes in Circles," 16 Mar. 2018 This passionate defense of the Enlightenment ideals of scientific rationalism and secular humanism argues that human progress is a measurable fact and that the current moment is the best ever. — Olivia De Recat, The New Yorker, "Briefly Noted," 14 Mar. 2018 But rationalism has provided a new spin on this old debate. — James Romm, WSJ, "Review: Rome’s Cosmic Retribution," 27 Oct. 2017 Mary, living in the world of Galvanism, industrial and democratic revolution, and the newfound delight in rationalism, was able to give us a golem without resorting to the supernatural. — Cory Doctorow, Slate Magazine, "I’ve Created a Monster!," 22 May 2017 Hustvedt rejects the sterile rationalism of the dualists. — Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, "Siri Hustvedt’s preening essays take their author’s own brilliance as their main subject.," 13 Jan. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rationalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for rationalism
rationalism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of rationalism
philosophy
: the belief that reason and experience and not emotions or religious beliefs should be the basis for your actions, opinions, etc.
See the full definition for rationalism in the English Language Learners Dictionary