rationalism

noun

ra·​tio·​nal·​ism ˈrash-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce rationalism (audio)
ˈra-shə-nə-ˌli-
1
: reliance on reason as the basis for establishment of religious truth
2
a
: 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
3
rationalist
ˈrash-nə-list How to pronounce rationalism (audio)
ˈra-shə-nə-list
noun
rationalist adjective
or rationalistic
ˌrash-nə-ˈli-tik How to pronounce rationalism (audio)
ˌra-shə-nə-ˈli-
rationalistically
ˌrash-nə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce rationalism (audio)
ˌra-shə-nə-ˈli-
adverb

Examples of rationalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Underneath their discussions about democracy, rationalism, and religion lies one consensus: Women are subordinate and subhuman. Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024 As a lifelong journalist and media entrepreneur, Brill possesses the rationalism of the former and the certainty of the latter that facts are what move the world. Laura Wagner, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 Gulen has tried to develop a genuinely modern school of Islam that reconciles the religion with liberal democracy, scientific rationalism, ecumenism, and free enterprise… The Church Undivided Pope Benedict XVI made reaching out to other faiths and promoting Christian unity hallmarks of his tenure. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 The Munich Cosmic Circle, for example, was animated by the belief that rationalism had caused the West to decline and that the only way out was a return to paganism. Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 22 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rationalism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rationalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rationalism was circa 1732

Dictionary Entries Near rationalism

Cite this Entry

“Rationalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationalism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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