Rationalism in Literature &  Literary Theory

Rationalism: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology

• The term “rationalism” stems from the Latin word “ratio” (reason) and its derivative adjective “rationalis” (reasonable, logical).

Term Definition

• Rationalism is an epistemological doctrine within philosophy that positions reason as the primary source and fundamental test of knowledge. It asserts that true knowledge lies in the intellect’s capacity for logical deduction and analysis, rather than reliance on sensory experience.

Key Meanings and Concepts

• The Primacy of Reason: Rationalists contend that the application of reason allows us to gain reliable knowledge of the world and discern fundamental truths.
• Potential for Innate Knowledge: Within rationalism, some proponents argue for the existence of inborn ideas or intuitive principles. These serve as a foundation for knowledge, independent of sensory experience.
• Deductive Reasoning: Rationalism emphasizes deductive reasoning, a process by which specific conclusions are logically derived from broader premises or universal axioms.
• Limited Role of Sensory Experience: Rationalists generally maintain a degree of skepticism towards purely sensory experience as a means of acquiring knowledge. They prioritize the intellectual path to understanding.
• Prominent Rationalist Philosophers: Seminal figures within the rationalist tradition include:
  • René Descartes (17th century)
  • Baruch Spinoza (17th century)
  • Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (17th & 18th centuries)

Rationalism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Rationalism, in philosophy, posits that reason is the primary source and arbiter of knowledge. It emphasizes the role of human intellect in understanding the world and solving problems. Rationalists believe in the capacity of reason to discern truth independently of sensory experience, advocating for the supremacy of logical deduction and innate ideas in acquiring knowledge.

Rationalism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorist	Key Works	Central Arguments
René Descartes (1596-1650)	Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), Discourse on Method (1637)	Advances the method of “systematic doubt,” questioning all beliefs that could possibly be false. Argues that through pure reason, one can arrive at the certain knowledge of one’s own existence (“I think, therefore I am”).
Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677)	Ethics (1677)	Proposes a monist system where mind and body are unified aspects of a single substance he calls God or Nature. Uses a geometric, axiomatic method to deduce a comprehensive understanding of reality.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716)	Monadology (1714), Theodicy (1710)	Asserts that the universe is composed of infinitely many, indivisible spiritual substances called “monads.” Argues for the pre-established harmony of the world and that God created the “best of all possible worlds.”

Rationalism: Major Characteristics

• Primacy of Reason: Rationalism asserts that reason is the primary source of knowledge.
  • Descartes’ “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am) highlights the foundational role of reason in establishing existence.
• Innate Ideas or Principles: Rationalists argue for the existence of innate ideas or principles inherent to the human mind.
  • Plato’s theory of recollection, as seen in the Meno, suggests that knowledge is a process of remembering innate truths rather than acquiring them through sensory experience.
• A Priori Knowledge: Rationalism prioritizes knowledge derived independently of empirical observation.
  • Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason argues that certain truths, such as those of mathematics and morality, can be known a priori through pure reason.
• Universal and Necessary Truths: Rationalism holds that there are universal and necessary truths that can be grasped through reason alone.
  • Leibniz’s principle of the identity of indiscernibles illustrates this idea, asserting that if two things have all their properties in common, they are the same thing.

Rationalism: Relevance in Literary Theories

1. Structuralism: Rationalism informs structuralist literary theories by emphasizing the role of underlying structures and patterns in literary texts. Structuralists analyze literature through systematic frameworks, often employing rationalist principles to uncover hidden meanings and universal truths within texts.
2. Formalism/New Criticism: Rationalism is relevant to formalist and New Critical approaches, which prioritize close textual analysis and the examination of form and structure in literature. These theories often utilize rationalist methods of interpretation to uncover the inherent logic and coherence of literary works.
3. Deconstructionism: Rationalism plays a role in deconstructionist literary theories by providing a framework for critiquing binary oppositions and uncovering hidden meanings within texts. Deconstructionists often employ rationalist principles to challenge traditional interpretations and reveal the underlying complexities of language and representation.
4. Postcolonialism: Rationalism informs postcolonial literary theories by highlighting the importance of reason and rational inquiry in critiquing colonial power structures and ideologies. Postcolonial theorists may draw on rationalist principles to analyze the ways in which colonial discourses construct and perpetuate hierarchies of knowledge and authority in literature.

Rationalism: Application in Critiques

Literary Work	Potential Rationalist Critique
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)	Analyze how the novel grapples with the limits of reason and scientific ambition. Is Victor Frankenstein’s downfall a cautionary tale against unrestrained rational inquiry?
Flatland by Edwin Abbott Abbott (1884)	Explore the use of geometric shapes and dimensions as a vehicle to critique societal hierarchies and restrictions. Consider how characters’ ability (or inability) to grasp higher dimensions reflects rationalist ideas about the limits of perception.
Candide by Voltaire (1759)	A satirical work that could be analyzed through a rationalist lens by examining its critique of Leibniz’s optimistic philosophy (“the best of all possible worlds”). How does Voltaire utilize reason and logic to dismantle this optimistic viewpoint?
The Republic by Plato (c. 380 BC)	Dissect Plato’s concept of the philosopher-king and its reliance on reason as the ideal form of governance. Does Plato’s utopian vision align with rationalist principles, and what might be the limitations of this perspective?

Rationalism: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Reason	The human mind’s capacity for logic and knowledge.
A Priori Knowledge	Knowledge gained through reason alone.
A Posteriori Knowledge	Knowledge gained through experience.
Innate Ideas	Concepts believed to exist within the mind from birth.
Deductive Reasoning	Deriving conclusions from general principles.
Axioms	Self-evident truths requiring no proof.
Metaphysics	Study of the fundamental nature of reality.
Epistemology	Study of the nature and sources of knowledge.
Mind-Body Dualism	Theory that mind and body are separate substances.
Determinism	Belief that all events are predetermined.

Rationalism: Suggested Readings

1. Descartes, René. Meditations on First Philosophy. Translated by John Cottingham, Cambridge University Press, 1996.
2. Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Translated by Paul Guyer and Allen W. Wood, Cambridge University Press, 1999.
3. Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm. Discourse on Metaphysics and Other Essays. Translated by Daniel Garber and Roger Ariew, Hackett Publishing Company, 1991.
4. Plato. Meno. Translated by G. M. A. Grube, Hackett Publishing Company, 2002