rationalism

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ra=tion=al=ism

CIDE DICTIONARY

rationalism, n. [Cf. F. rationalisme.].

•  The doctrine or system of those who deduce their religious opinions from reason or the understanding, as distinct from, or opposed to, revelation.  [1913 Webster]
•  The system that makes rational power the ultimate test of truth; -- opposed to sensualism, or sensationalism, and empiricism.  Fleming.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

rationalism, n.
1 Philos. the theory that reason is the foundation of certainty in knowledge (opp. EMPIRICISM (see EMPIRIC), SENSATIONALISM).
2 Theol. the practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.
3 a belief in reason rather than religion as a guiding principle in life.

Derivative

rationalist n. rationalistic adj. rationalistically adv.

THESAURUS

rationalism

Buddhology, Mariolatry, Mariology, Mercersburg theology, apologetics, canonics, crisis theology, deduction, deductive reasoning, demonstration, dialogical theology, discourse, discourse of reason, discursive reason, divinity, doctrinalism, doctrinism, dogmatics, eschatology, existential theology, hagiography, hagiology, hierology, induction, inductive reasoning, logical thought, logos Christology, logos theology, natural theology, neoorthodox theology, neoorthodoxy, patristic theology, phenomenological theology, philosophy, physicotheology, proof, ratiocination, rationality, rationalization, rationalizing, reason, reasonableness, reasoning, religion, scholastic theology, secularism, sophistry, soteriology, specious reasoning, sweet reason, systematics, theology

ROGET THESAURUS

rationalism

Irreligion

N irreligion, indevotion, godlessness, ungodliness, laxity, quietism, skepticism, doubt, unbelief, disbelief, incredulity, incredulousness, want of faith, want of belief, pyrrhonism, bout, agnosticism, atheism, deism, hylotheism, materialism, positivism, nihilism, infidelity, freethinking, antichristianity, rationalism, neology, atheist, skeptic, unbeliever, deist, infidel, pyrrhonist, giaour, heathen, alien, gentile, Nazarene, espri fort, freethinker, latitudinarian, rationalist, materialist, positivist, nihilist, agnostic, somatist, theophobist, irreligious, indevout, undevout, devoutless, godless, graceless, ungodly, unholy, unsanctified, unhallowed, atheistic, without God, skeptical, freethinking, unbelieving, unconverted, incredulous, faithless, lacking faith, deistical, unchristian, antichristian, worldly, mundane, earthly, carnal, worldly minded, irreligiously.