Rationalism (Noun)
Meaning 1
The doctrine that reason is the right basis for regulating conduct.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
(philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is acquired by reason without resort to experience.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
The theological doctrine that human reason rather than divine revelation establishes religious truth.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The Enlightenment's emphasis on rationalism led many to question the traditional authority of scripture and the church.
- Despite the rise of rationalism, many theologians still believed that human reason was insufficient to fully understand the mysteries of faith.
- Rationalism, in its extreme form, was seen as a threat to the established order of the church and its authority.
- Theologians who advocated for rationalism argued that human reason was capable of uncovering religious truth independently of divine revelation.
- The modernist movement in theology emphasized the importance of rationalism, leading to a shift away from traditional doctrine and towards a more human-centered approach to faith.