1 What is RATIONALISM? The belief that human beings can arrive at truth by using reason, rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religious faith, or on intuition

2 Rationalist View of GodGod = Clockmaker Created the universe and then left it to run on its own, like a clock God’s greatest gift to man = Ability to reason, think logically

3 Rationalist WorldviewPeople arrive at truth by using reason God created the universe but does not interfere in its workings The world operates according to God’s rules, and man can use reason to discover those rules

4 Rationalist WorldviewPeople are basically good and perfectible Because God wants people to be happy, people worship God best by helping others Human history is marked by progress toward a more perfect existence

5 Rationalist LiteratureRooted in reality Age of pamphlets/nonfiction Most literature intended to serve a practical or political end Famous Rationalists: Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin George Washington Thomas Paine Patrick Henry

6 Patrick Henry Lawyer and oratorMember of the Virginia House of Burgesses Responsible for two of the most famous speeches in American Colonial history

7 Patrick Henry: “Speech to the Virginia Convention”March 1775—colonies nearing breaking point with England British military threat was growing and the Virginia House of Burgesses held a convention to decide what to do. After several speeches in favor of compromise, Henry rose to defend his resolution to take up arms Persuaded the delegation to defend itself against England