Rationalism is the principle that maintains that through reason alone we can gain at least some positive knowledge of the world. The three major rationalists, Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza and Gottfried Welhelm Leibniz, used this idea in order to defy skepticism and expose the true nature of reality. However, each philosopher is frequently in disagreement. The idea for ‘God’, and what constitutes substance, matter and reality are the four key structural beliefs that aid each rationalist in the forming of their arguments. Yet, it is these four concepts and the arguments behind them that cause the inconsistency found in rationalism. The idea that reason can provide positive solutions to the various questions put forth is made doubtful through their disparity. Thus, it is through the contradiction of the major rationalist that the viability of rationalism is undermined.

Questions such as; are my senses trust-worthy? What is my essential nature? All pertain to the major......

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Title: Rationalism - Descartes, Spinoza And Leibniz
Approximate Word Count: 1714
Approximate Pages: 7 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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