Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of administrative rationalism, which supposes that those in power within the environmental agencies of the country have a solid expertise in their fields. Furthermore, it suggests that these individuals have the relevant technical knowledge, the necessary authority, and will act in the public interest.

From the Paper
"Administrative Rationalism and the Environment The concept of administrative rationalism supposes that those in power within the environmental agencies of the country have a solid expertise in their fields. Furthermore, these individuals have the relevant technical knowledge, the necessary authority, and will act in the public interest (Howes). Administrative rationalism is directly related to the functions of the individual in the position of authority when issues relating to the environment are concerned, and the expertise that is considered viable for these individuals does not call upon outside sources to make determinations of policy. Howes contends that administrative rationalism exists in the areas of, o professional resource management bureaucracies; o pollution control agencies o regulatory policy instruments o environmental impact assessment o expert advisory commissions (Howes)."

Tags:administrative, rationalism, environment

Abstract
This paper examines the concept of anti-rationalism versus rationalism. It specifically critiques the views of Plato, Descartes, Hume and Nietzsche. It discusses their views and the deductions they make according to their philosophies, as well as the restrictions that each of the philosophic systems place on their followers.

From the Paper
"Reason, despite both sides of the rationalist/anti-rationalist argument, has its boundaries. Being a philosopher, I am very inclined to the pursuit of the acculturation of knowledge and the way that it helps me view and guide myself through life. Reason, however, seems to be a bit displaced at some points in defining philosophic systems of ontology. It seems to me that reason can be used to decipher the pieces of the puzzle--to give an outline of the painting of life. Many scholars have had visions and other non-rational occurrences that defined the way they thought about life. Reason does not play a role here. Reason has a hard enough time dealing with the complex idioms as to why people do the things they do, much less figure out the cosmological vibrations of religions, sexualities, and spiritualities. Despite the onset of reason, there is still feeling, emotion, and connection that cannot be rationally explained to someone who has not felt it before."

Tags:understanding, ontology, boundaries

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts constructivism and rationalism, two philosophies that fundamentally oppose each other. The paper takes a particular look at Aristotle's constructivism and Plato/Socrates' rationalism. It argues that the core of this opposition is that, according to constructivism, human knowledge does not reflect reality, while rationalism believes that it does. The paper concludes that, despite its problematic nature, rationalism is a truer philosophical approach.

From the Paper
"Constructivist theory finds its roots in the ancient Greek philosophers, including Aristotle, who argued "man is the measure of all things". In other words, Aristotle believed that man, or the knowledge of man, is the accumulated result of the human experience, which is the cumulated result of the how humans have perceived their world as opposed to how their world actually is. Thus, human reality become reality not because its based in reason and rational thinking, but because it is what we have constructed it to be. As Kant stated in 1708: "The norm of the truth is to have made it" or simply the truth is what one makes true instead of what is actually true."

Tags:Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Greek

Abstract
In this analysis, the writer explores Immanuel Kant's notion of epistemology and looks at the debate between empiricism and rationalism closely. Further, outside representations of theories such as Hume's causality are also commented upon. Finally, a synopsis is presented of the debate itself and the progression of thought that occurred with Immanuel Kant. The writer maintains that even today, Kant's epistemology would spark great debate among the foremost religious scholars, scientists, and philosophers. The writer concludes that if there truly is an answer, this view would suggest that it lies in the duality between both empiricism and rationalism.

From the Paper
"The notion of duality has been represented throughout the dawn of time in many aspects. Nature versus nurture, church versus state, and empiricism versus rationalism can all be depicted in many situations. As fundamental and concrete as one side or another may seem, truth has usually be captured in the middle of the debate. Immanuel Kant has been regarded by his peers as one of the greatest thinkers of the era. Kant spent a great deal of time juxtaposing both empiricism and rationalism with ideas that stemmed from his own epistemological viewpoints. It was this perception that Kant discounted Descartes, Locke, and others with theories that represented a natural duality that could not be accessed by contemplation or experiences, and added another layer of truth to the controversy between the two outlooks."

Tags:theories, knowledge, assumption, perceptions

Abstract
This paper begins with an overview of rationalism and empiricism and then takes a look at the three key figures representing Continental rationalism: Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz. The paper then talks about the differences as well as the similarities in the works of the three philosophers.

From the Paper
"Continental rationalism argues essentially that the ultimate source of knowledge can be found within human reason. Further, Continental rationalism argues that truth can be deduced from our innate ideas, and mathematical proof ultimately became the model for rationalist investigation. This philosophical movement began in the 17th century with the work of the philosopher Rene Descartes, and spread through continental Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the philosophers who adopted Descartes' theories, or incorporated his ideas into Calvinistic theology, were termed as Cartesians. In contrast, a number of philosophers like Benedict Spinoza, and Gottfried Willhelm Leibniz adopted Descartes' ideas, and developed their own views within Descartes' overarching theme of human reason as ultimate source of knowledge (The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Solomon). "

Tags:truth, human, reason, innate, self-evident, idea, knowlege, experience, senses, knowledge

Abstract
The paper explains constructivism to be a philosophy that holds that all knowledge, or how humans view their world, is constructed instead of being based on any actual realities. The paper discusses how constructivism is therefore fundamentally opposed to the premises of rationalism. The paper outlines how the constructivist theory finds its roots in ancient Greek philosophy and how it is applied in international relations.

From the Paper
"Constructivism is a philosophy that holds that all knowledge, or how humans view their world, is constructed instead of being based on any actual realities. According to constructivism, knowledge does not necessarily reflect any external realities but instead is contingent on conventions, human perceptions and the overall social experience of an individual. In other word, according to constructivist theory, knowledge is nothing more than artificial reality."

Tags:international, relations, Aristotle, Socrates, reality, reason, knowledge, truth

Abstract
This paper looks at the theological debate within Islam over the problem of the creation of the Qur'an. The writer discusses that this issue has sometimes been viewed as a conflict between reason and rationalism as represented by Mu'tazilite thought and traditional orthodoxy as represented by the Hanbalite school of thought. This essay examines the main points of disagreement.

From the Paper
"The theological debate within Islam over the problem of the creation of the Qur'an has sometimes been represented as a conflict between reason and rationalism (as represented by Mu'tazilite thought) and traditional orthodoxy (as represented by the Hanbalite school of thought). While this generalization has some points of validity, it does not capture the full complexity of the debate over the creation of the Qur'an, nor the significant implications of this difference for how Muslims understand the existence of God and his role in their daily lives."

Tags:islam, reason, history

Abstract
This paper explains Descartes's philosophy of the human mind and how his philosophy, which contends that the real self is based not in the nature of the material body but rather in the essence of thought, differs from empiricism, which contends that the mind is informed by experience in a learning process that is based on sensation and cognition. The paper concludes with the author offering his personal perspective of Descartes's rationalism and whether it is applicable to his life and experiences.

From the Paper
"Empiricism focuses on the perceived fact that synthetic theories are only possible through experience and are therefore also subject to doubt, since experiences can be illusory or deceptive. This essential doubt is also something that is recognized by rationalists like Descartes, who then categorized the doubt as the mutability and fallibility of the senses. In terms of the absolutism of mind/body distinctions, empiricists are more hesitant to ascribe the realm of theory or logic to the formation of any truth that could be seen to be absolute and unquestioned such as reason or the power of deduction. Some criticize rationalism for assuming that only self-directed introspection can truly decipher reality in any productive or reasonable way. Descartes' rationalism led to further theories by Kant and others. Most social theories are given some context epistemologically, even those that seek to synthesize and combine different aspects of rationalism and empiricism. The two theories are often seen to be philosophical absolutes in and of themselves in their respective relations to the human mind as a separate and holistic entity in its relationship to the body."

Tags:relationship, utilitarian, preexistence, innate, qualities, conventional, logic, reason

Abstract
This three-page undergraduate paper discusses Cartesian rationalism, explains what is rationalistic about Descartes' thinking, and reflects upon what Descartes hoped to achieve through philosophical reflection.

Abstract
This paper discusses how, as the explanatory power of empiricism began to grow apparent, rationalistic modes of belief and dogmas began to conflict with the verifiable truths the empirical approach to knowledge was uncovering. The paper then discusses the different schools of thought from which these philosophies have emerged in the Western tradition. It particularly focuses on the philosophies of Martin Luther and Galileo.

From the Paper
"Evolution implied that humans possessed a common ancestry with all animals and even plants. It may have been a matter of interpretation as to whether the earth revolved around the sun or not, but the concept that man is an ape who has been gradually evolving for 3.5 billion years fits nowhere into traditional Christian beliefs. Consequently, the theory--although as close to scientific fact as any fact ever inferred from the natural world--has remained controversial and not widely accepted in the west. So, it has only truly been in the past century and a half that science and religion have come faced off in a battle of wills. Still, the argument should be moot: empirical evidence may indicate one thing, but if an individual is willing to believe in an all-powerful being, they must also acknowledge that such a being could configure the world in any way imaginable--just as Galileo's Dialogue concluded."

Tags:dogma, belief, truth, evidence