The Rationalist and Christian Philosophers perspective on human nature
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Transcript of The Rationalist and Christian Philosophers perspective on human nature
•The philosophical view that regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge.
•A rationalist uses logic as the chief principle in knowledge. This means that everything we learn and
we use reason in every situation above all else.
•Our reason also ultimately provides justification for our morals and beliefs. Reason dictates how we see and view certain situations and our opinion of right and
wrong toward that situation.
(http://rationalistview.blogspot.com)
17th Century· In the years between 1601-1700, the rationalist view was born. Beginning with Descartes, it was the belief that everything in the world can be explained with logic and reason. Descartes was a mathematical genius and tried to apply formulas for life. He also introduced the idea of our senses being figments of our mind and that they can deceive us. (http://rationalistview.blogspot.com)
“Descartes in one of his original works, Principles of Philosophy [translated to English], believes that all the senses deceive us. He used the example of our sight. Stating that we see the setting sun as a roughly two-inch wide object in the sky, but in fact, our reason tells us that the sun is actually almost infinitely times larger than we see it in the sky.” (http://rationalistview.blogspot.com)
The desire for a good and peaceful relationship between man and his creator is like how a child wishes to be in favour with its parents, it desires its parents approval, and wants its parents love. Man’s whole being is geared toward this. He comes into the world as a child of his creator.
•For a Christian Philosopher, man acts the way he does or operates because of the presence or absence of a harmonious relationship with his creator.
•His relationship with his creator is of PRIMARY importance in his existence. It is much more important than the exercising of reason.
•Man’s nature is to stay in a good relationship with his creator. Whatever he does is impacted by that need.
•To have a good life man must maintain a good relationship with his creator. If he does not have a good relationship with his creator his life would be chaotic, sad, lonely and miserable.