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rationalism

Syllabification: (ra·tion·al·ism)
Pronunciation: /ˈraSHənlˌizəm, ˈraSHnəˌlizəm/
Definition of rationalism

noun

  • a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response:scientific rationalism
  • Philosophy the theory that reason rather than experience is the foundation of certainty in knowledge.
  • Theology the practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.

Derivatives

rationalist

noun

rationalistic

Pronunciation: /ˌraSHənlˈistik, ˌraSHnəˈlistik/
adjective

rationalistically

Pronunciation: /ˌraSHənlˈistik(ə)lē, ˌraSHnəˈlistik(ə)lē/
adverb

rationalism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of rationalism in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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