anti-rationalism
|an-ti-ra-tion-al-ism|
/ˌæn.tiˌræʃəˈnælɪzəm/
opposition to reason
Etymology
'anti-rationalism' originates from modern English, specifically from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'rationalism' (from Latin 'ratio' meaning 'reason' plus the suffix '-ism').
'rationalism' changed from early modern philosophical Latin and French usage (for example French 'rationnalisme') derived from Latin 'ratio' and eventually became the modern English word 'rationalism'; putting 'anti-' before it formed the compound 'anti-rationalism' in modern English.
Initially, the term was used chiefly to indicate opposition to the specific philosophical doctrine called 'rationalism'; over time it has broadened to refer to any opposition or distrust of reason or reason-based methods in various social, cultural, or political contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a philosophical or intellectual stance that opposes or rejects rationalism — the view that reason is the primary source of knowledge — often emphasizing faith, tradition, intuition, or emotion instead.
Anti-rationalism gained traction in some circles as a reaction against the perceived coldness of purely reason-based approaches.
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Noun 2
a general attitude or tendency to distrust or devalue reason and logical argument in public life, culture, or decision-making.
Critics argue that anti-rationalism in political discourse can undermine evidence-based policy.
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Last updated: 2025/11/18 11:15