Question

What is rationalism and how does it relate to the enlightenment

Answer 1

Rationalism is a philosophical movement which gathered momentum during the Age of Reason of the 17th Century.

Answer 2

Rationalism is a philosophy that regards reason as the main source of knowledge for humans. It also argues that reason is the main test of knowledge. This view of the world places more emphasis on the mind and the logic it follows than on empirical evidence or the senses.

This philosophical view is closely related to the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was a philosophical, scientific and artistic movement that placed great importance on reason. It argued that reason was the main way to discover the world that humans should use, and it discouraged traditional methods such as religion and mythology.