Encompasses several strands of thought all of which usually share the conviction that REALITY is actually rationale in nature and that making the proper deductions is essential in achieving knowledge.

Latin word ratio, meaning reason-point of view that states that reason plays the main role in understanding the world and obtaining knowledge.

is “any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification.” in which the criterion of the truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive.

The philosophical view that regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge. Holding the reality itself has an inherent logical structure

IDEA

SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE

JUSTIFICATION OF OUR BELIEFS

SOURCE OF CONCEPTUAL APPARATUS

THE STORY OF THE 3 PRIEST

While RATIONALISM has existed throughout the history of

philosophy, it is usually associated specifically with three

philosophers during the Renaissance

SHARED THE BELIEF THAT WE CAN BEST UNDERSTAND THE WORLD

THROUGH LOGIC AND REASONING.

•THEY WERE AGAINST CENTURIES OLD TRADITIONSWHICH TRIED TO BASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD UPON IDEAS PUT FORWARD BY THE 4TH Century Greek Philosophers such as (Pythagoras, Parmendes, Zeno, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle)

For example, Aristotle believed that• The earth is the centre of the

universe.• The sun and the planets orbit the

earth.• The stars are fixed to a crystalline

sphere and are unchanging and eternal.

1543Copernicus argues that the movement of the stars and

heavenly bodies is more “logical” if we consider the Sun as the centre of the solar system.

1572Tycho Brahe discovers, through astronomical observations,

that the stars are not stationary or unchanging.1609

Based on Brahe’s work, Johannes Kepler formulates his 3 laws of planetary motion.

1638Galileo Galilei publishes his Mathematical Discourses and

Demonstations on Two New Sciences, outlining discoveries which directly contradict the views of Aristotle.

1687Isaac Newton publishes his Principia Mathematica in which

he sets out the theory of gravity, basing his work on the discoveries of Kepler and Galileo.

“Some ideas are true independent of experience.”

senses gives important information but sometimes it mislead us.

They argued that knowledge which is independent of experience must be more trustworthy because it

has less to do with senses.

a. Mathematical propositions (2+2=4)

b. Things which are true by definition (all bachelors are

unmarried)c. Self-evident truths (such as “I

think therefore I am)

“Some ideas are present from birth.”

Ideas that do not require the proof or suggestion of sense

experience, are concept which are present from birth.

It could be theoretically be discovered or brought out from

within the mind of each individual.

Example is Descartes arguments for the existence of God.

Some things cannot be otherwise.

In order to pass your exam you have to study hard. (empirical

necessity)

In order to have 3 things you have to have more than two things.

(logical necessity)

The question of whether God exists for example, depends on your concept of God or whether

in fact you believe He exists. (empirical necessity)

a) It is logically possible that God does not exist;

b) However, the idea of God presupposes a perfect being;

c) For a perfect being not to exist would be an imperfection;

d) Therefore God must necessarily exist.

This argument - called the Ontological Argument - assumes the existence of this third type of necessity

(metaphysical) which sits midway between what can and cannot be otherwise.

Knowledge via reason is superior.Innate knowledge is superior

because everything is in the state of flux.

Things are dying things are born.Can we trust this changing world?

If were to rely on reason were immune from change since the law for math and physics aren’t

subject to change.

1. Pythagoras – “All is Number”2. Parmenides- “The world is a static whole

and that the realm of change and motion is an illusion.”

3. Zeno – “The Paradoxes of Motion” Achilles and the Tortoise.

4. Socrates – “Know thyself”5. Plato- Reason is above Perception

6. Aristotle – Syllogistic logic is the best method to reach the ultimate truth.

1. Rene Descartes “I think therefore I Am”2. Benedict Spinoza – Man is not Free. All his

actions are determined, by some forces greater than he is.”

3. G.W. Leibnez – Cause and Effect

1. Objections to innate ideas. How is it possible to distinguish “remembering” from

learning? If we cant, doesn’t that make the idea redundant?

2. Most idea seems to rely in some way on the real world to bring them out.

3. If mathematical ideas are innate, wouldn’t we already know the answers to

complicated sum?4. If ideas such as “God exists” are innate,

why doesn’t everyone believe that?

1. Family should be as the basic foundation of the state and should provide the first educational experience of the

individual.2. Education of the individual should attend to the

development of the physical, moral, and intellectual aspects of his life.

3. The individuals from birth should be given basic education at home in preparation for formal schooling.

4. Education to be efficacious should develop the total personality of the individual with special stress on his

intellectual growth. 5. Education must enable man to know, to say and do all

things. Because of this its ultimate goal is the development of its capacity to think rationally, reason out logically and

act prudently.