- Etymology
- From Latin ratiō "reason" + -alism. Doctrine of reason.
- Stem ratio
- From Latin ratiō. "Reason, calculation."
- Suffix -ism
- Forming nouns. "Doctrine, theory, or practice of."
- Origin
- R. Descartes. 17th century.
- Main proponent(s)
- R. Descartes
- Structural characteristic
- Chain of rational inference
- Meaning
- Only deductive reasoning by human "reason" yields indubitable, certain truth.
- Earliest use
- Descartes. 17th century.
- Definition
- The doctrine that only deductive reasoning by human reason yields indubitable, certain truth. Chain of rational inference.