rationalism
UK[ˈræʃnəlɪzəm]US[ˈræʃnəlɪzəm]
n
The belief that reason and experience, not emotions or religious beliefs, should be the basis for your actions and beliefs.
n
The philosophical theory that reason is the foundation of all knowledge.
Morpheme Breakdown
ration
al
ism
ration
reason
al
adjective suffix
ism
doctrine or system
Etymology
The word 'rationalism' is built upon the Latin noun ratio, which originally meant a "reckoning" or "calculation" and evolved to signify the faculty of "reason." The suffix -al was appended to form the adjective 'rational,' describing something based on or agreeable to reason. Finally, the Greek-derived suffix -ism was added to denote a formal doctrine or system, crystallizing the term for the philosophical stance that reason is the primary source of knowledge and the guiding principle for human conduct. This construction elegantly charts the evolution from a concrete act of counting to an abstract system of thought centered on logical deduction.
Analysis
Structure: ration (reason) + al (adjective suffix) + ism (doctrine or system)
ration: From Latin ratio (reckoning, reason, calculation), serving as the core root conveying the concept of logical reasoning.
al: A suffix of Latin origin (-alis) used to form adjectives meaning "of or pertaining to," here modifying the root to create the adjective "rational."
ism: A suffix of Greek origin (-ismos) used to form nouns denoting a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy.
Examples
The scientist's approach was marked by a strict rationalism that left little room for intuition.
Enlightenment philosophy is often associated with the principles of rationalism and individualism.
His rationalism led him to question traditional beliefs that lacked empirical evidence.