Rationalism

Overview

Rationalism is the view that rational thinking – i.e. reasoning from available data – is the only sane justification for action, and the best way of determining truth.

It can also be seen as a philosophical doctrine which asserts that fundamental truths about the nature of reality are best discovered by reason and analysis of factual observations rather than any other method, such as faith, adherence to tradition, or careful study of existing doctrine or scripture.

Notes

What is the distinction between rationalism and positivism? The "key features" listed seem like a pretty definitive/universal explanation of how science works, which I would think would be a basic part of rationalism -- but perhaps there are rationalists who don't consider science to be essential?

Related Pages

• Rationalism holds that reason is the best method by which to derive knowledge.
• Rationality is the quality of being rational.
• Science is essentially the application of rationalism towards developing a body of knowledge and a set of tools for minimizing error in (and removing error from) that knowledge.

Links

Reference

• Wikipedia: Rationalism | Rationalist movement | Rationality
• Conservapedia apparently finds the following Biblical quote relevant: "Test all things; hold fast what is good."
• dKosopedia site down, can't verify page (as of 2008-06-10)
• SourceWatch no equivalent page (as of 2008-06-10)