Rationalism

In philosophy, rationalism is the epistemological view that “regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge” or “the position that reason has precedence over other ways of acquiring knowledge”, often in contrast to other possible sources of knowledge such as faith, tradition, or sensory experience. More formally, rationalism is defined as a methodology or a theory “in which the criterion of truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive”.

In a major philosophical debate during the Enlightenment, rationalism (sometimes here equated with innatism) was opposed to empiricism. On the one hand, rationalists like René Descartes emphasized that knowledge is primarily innate and the intellect, the inner faculty of the human mind, can therefore directly grasp or derive logical truths; on the other hand, empiricists like John Locke emphasized that knowledge is not primarily innate and is best gained by careful observation of the physical world outside the mind, namely through sensory experiences. Rationalists asserted that certain principles exist in logic, mathematics, ethics, and metaphysics that are so fundamentally true that denying them causes one to fall into contradiction. The rationalists had such a high confidence in reason that empirical proof and physical evidence were regarded as unnecessary to ascertain certain truths – in other words, “there are significant ways in which our concepts and knowledge are gained independently of sense experience”.

Different degrees of emphasis on this method or theory lead to a range of rationalist standpoints, from the moderate position “that reason has precedence over other ways of acquiring knowledge” to the more extreme position that reason is “the unique path to knowledge”. Given a pre-modern understanding of reason, rationalism is identical to philosophy, the Socratic life of inquiry, or the zetetic (skeptical) clear interpretation of authority (open to the underlying or essential cause of things as they appear to our sense of certainty).

wikipedia/en/Rationalism

Reason refers to the ability to think Logically and make judgments, while rationality is the state of being based on or in accordance with reason. In essence, reason is the process, and rationality is the outcome or quality of that process.

The State of Being Reasonable

Philosophical perspectives on rationality explore what rationality is, how it functions, and its role in human life, particularly in relation to Epistemology, Ethics, and Decision-making. Different philosophical approaches offer various definitions and analyses of rationality, highlighting its importance in understanding Knowledge, Morality, and action.

• Rationalism: This view emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge, often contrasting it with empiricism, which relies on sensory experience. Rationalists, like Descartes, believe that certain truths can be known through reasoning and intuition, independent of sensory input. The Enlightenment was characterized by a strong emphasis on reason and scientific inquiry.
• Epistemic Rationality: This focuses on the rationality of beliefs and knowledge, particularly in relation to their truth and justification. It explores how individuals should form beliefs and engage in reasoning to maximize the likelihood of reaching accurate conclusions.
• Instrumental/Practical Rationality: This perspective centers on the rationality of actions and decision-making, emphasizing the ability to choose means that are most effective in achieving desired goals. It examines how individuals should rationally select actions based on their intentions and values.
• Moral/Substantive Rationality: This examines the rationality of moral beliefs and actions, exploring how individuals should evaluate moral principles and make decisions that align with them. It also considers the relationship between rationality and values.
• Structural Rationality: This perspective emphasizes the internal coherence and consistency of an agent’s beliefs, desires, and actions, regardless of their objective validity or moral implications. It focuses on how agents should align their internal states with their goals and intentions.
• Aristotle’s view: He considered humans “rational animals,” emphasizing the role of Reason in defining human nature and distinguishing it from other animals.
• Allan Gibbard’s perspective: He argues that rationality is a non-natural concept that is applied based on naturalistic properties, suggesting that rationality should be studied from a naturalistic perspective.
• Social epistemology: This perspective emphasizes the social and communal nature of rationality, recognizing that knowledge and reasoning are often influenced by social contexts and group dynamics.
• Bounded Rationality: This theory, introduced by Herbert Simon, acknowledges that human rationality is often limited by cognitive constraints, such as limited information processing capacity and time constraints.

Instrumental rationality is defined as being concerned with achieving goals. More specifically, instrumental rationality is the art of choosing and implementing actions that steer the future toward outcomes ranked higher in one’s preferences. Said preferences are not limited to ‘selfish’ preferences or unshared values; they include anything one cares about.

— Rationality - LessWrong

Epistemic rationality is defined as the part of rationality which involves achieving accurate beliefs about the world. It involves updating on receiving new evidence, mitigating cognitive biases, and examining why you believe what you believe. It can be seen as a form of instrumental rationality in which knowledge and truth are goals in themselves, whereas in other forms of instrumental rationality, knowledge and truth are only potential aids to achieving goals. Someone practicing instrumental rationality might even find falsehood useful.

― Rationality - LessWrong

During the Enlightenment, rationalism and the concept of autonomy were intertwined. Rationalists like René Descartes believed knowledge could be attained through reason alone, emphasizing the power of logic and innate ideas. This emphasis on Reason and individual thought was closely linked to the Enlightenment ideal of autonomy, which refers to the capacity for self-governance and independent thought. 

• Autonomy and Individual Freedom: Autonomy, meaning self-determination and independence, became a central theme in Enlightenment thought. Thinkers like Kant and Mill saw autonomy as a fundamental right and a key element of a just and free society. 
• The Interconnection: The Enlightenment’s embrace of rationalism fostered a belief in individual autonomy. By emphasizing reason and individual thought, Enlightenment thinkers challenged traditional authority and promoted the idea that individuals could and should make their own decisions based on their own understanding of the world. 
• Examples: Descartes’ famous dictum “I think, therefore I am” illustrates this rationalist approach, highlighting the power of individual thought and the possibility of arriving at certain knowledge through reason alone. Kant’s moral philosophy also placed a strong emphasis on autonomy, arguing that moral law should be grounded in reason and individual moral judgment, rather than external authority.