Rationalism — An epistemological tradition holding that reason is the primary source of genuine knowledge, independent of experience. Descartes: innate ideas (God, extension, thought) are known with more clarity and distinctness than any sensory data. Spinoza: all of reality can be deduced more geometrico from definitions and axioms. Leibniz: truths of reason (necessary) are superior to truths of fact (contingent). Opposes empiricism but is synthesized by Kant.
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