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 God
God = 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 Worldview
People 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 Worldview
People 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 Literature
Rooted 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 orator
Member 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