Anti-rationalism refers to the rejection of reason, logic, and critical thinking, as well as the belief that emotions, feelings, and intuition are more important and reliable than rational thought. It is a philosophical stance that has been debated for centuries and is often seen as a challenge to the Enlightenment values of reason and progress.
Definitions
Anti-rationalism is a philosophical and cultural movement that rejects the idea that reason and logic are the only ways to understand the world. It is often associated with postmodernism, which emphasizes the importance of subjective experience and the limitations of language and reason.
Origin
Anti-rationalism has its roots in the Romantic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, which emphasized the importance of emotions, intuition, and imagination over reason and logic. It was also influenced by the existentialist and nihilist movements of the 20th century, which rejected the idea of objective truth and the possibility of universal values.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anti-rationalism is “the rejection or opposition to the use of reason or logic in understanding the world.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a philosophical position that denies the validity of reason and logic as the sole means of understanding reality.”
Associations
Anti-rationalism is often associated with postmodernism, existentialism, and nihilism. It is also linked to certain religious and spiritual movements that emphasize the importance of faith and intuition over reason and evidence.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for anti-rationalism include irrationalism, anti-intellectualism, and anti-Enlightenment.
Antonyms
The antonyms of anti-rationalism are rationalism, logic, reason, and critical thinking.
The same root words
The root words of anti-rationalism are “anti,” which means against, and “rationalism,” which refers to the belief that reason and logic are the primary means of understanding the world.
Example Sentences
- The anti-rationalism of some religious movements can be seen as a reaction to the perceived limitations of science and reason.
- The postmodernist rejection of objective truth and universal values is a form of anti-rationalism.
- The anti-intellectualism of some political movements is a dangerous trend that undermines the importance of critical thinking and education.
Anti-rationalism is a philosophical and cultural movement that challenges the importance of reason, logic, and critical thinking. It has its roots in the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th centuries and has been influenced by postmodernism, existentialism, and nihilism. While it is often associated with certain religious and spiritual movements, it is also a challenge to the Enlightenment values of reason and progress.