Rationalism is a philosophical view that regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge. It encompasses the idea that reality has an inherent logical structure that can be understood through reason and deduction. Three key rationalist philosophers during the Renaissance were Copernicus, Brahe, and Kepler, who argued that understanding the world through logic and reasoning was superior to ancient traditions. Rationalists believed that some ideas, like mathematical truths, are true independent of experience and may be innate or discovered through reason alone.

4. JUSTIFICATION OF OUR BELIEFS IDEA SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE SOURCE OF CONCEPTUAL APPARATUS

5. THE STORY OF THE 3 PRIEST

6. While RATIONALISM has existed throughout the history of philosophy, it is usually associated specifically with three philosophers during the Renaissance

7. SHARED THE BELIEF THAT WE CAN BEST UNDERSTAND THE WORLD THROUGH LOGIC AND REASONING.

9. For example, Aristotle believed that • The earth is the centre of the universe. • The sun and the planets orbit the earth. • The stars are fixed to a crystalline sphere and are unchanging and eternal.

10. 1543 Copernicus argues that the movement of the stars and heavenly bodies is more “logical” if we consider the Sun as the centre of the solar system. 1572 Tycho Brahe discovers, through astronomical observations, that the stars are not stationary or unchanging. 1609 Based on Brahe’s work, Johannes Kepler formulates his 3 laws of planetary motion. 1638 Galileo Galilei publishes his Mathematical Discourses and Demonstations on Two New Sciences , outlining discoveries which directly contradict the views of Aristotle. 1687 Isaac Newton publishes his Principia Mathematica in which he sets out the theory of gravity, basing his work on the discoveries of Kepler and Galileo.

12. “ Some ideas are true independent of experience.” senses gives important information but sometimes it mislead us. They argued that knowledge which is independent of experience must be more trustworthy because it has less to do with senses.

14. “ Some ideas are present from birth.” Ideas that do not require the proof or suggestion of sense experience, are concept which are present from birth.

15. It could be theoretically be discovered or brought out from within the mind of each individual. Example is Descartes arguments for the existence of God.

16. Some things cannot be otherwise.

17. In order to pass your exam you have to study hard. (empirical necessity) In order to have 3 things you have to have more than two things . (logical necessity)

18. The question of whether God exists for example, depends on your concept of God or whether in fact you believe He exists. (empirical necessity)

20. This argument - called the Ontological Argument - assumes the existence of this third type of necessity (metaphysical) which sits midway between what can and cannot be otherwise.

22. Knowledge via reason is superior. Innate knowledge is superior because everything is in the state of flux. Things are dying things are born. Can we trust this changing world? If were to rely on reason were immune from change since the law for math and physics aren’t subject to change.