Rationalism is one of the most widely discussed topics in philosophy. Students regularly encounter the well known opposition between rationalism and empiricism - the clash between reason and experience as sources of knowledge and ideas - at an early stage in their studies. Yet the work of the great rationalists, Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz, can prove particularly challenging.

"Rationalism: A Guide for the Perplexed" offers a clear and thorough guide to this key concept in the history of philosophy. The author begins by asking 'what is rationalism?' and goes on to assess the...

Rationalism is one of the most widely discussed topics in philosophy. Students regularly encounter the well known opposition between rationalism and empiricism - the clash between reason and experience as sources of knowledge and ideas - at an early stage in their studies. Yet the work of the great rationalists, Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz, can prove particularly challenging.

"Rationalism: A Guide for the Perplexed" offers a clear and thorough guide to this key concept in the history of philosophy. The author begins by asking 'what is rationalism?' and goes on to assess the...