Reason over Revelation

Definition

"Reason over Revelation" is an idea from the Enlightenment where truth is sought through logical reasoning rather than divine revelation or traditional teachings.

Analogy

If you're trying to figure out how your phone works, "reason over revelation" would be like deciding to learn about its inner workings yourself instead of just accepting what someone else tells you about it without questioning.

Related terms

Empiricism: This is theory that all knowledge originates from experience. It emphasizes experimental data and observable phenomena. It's like learning to cook by actually cooking, not just reading recipes.

Skepticism: This is a philosophical belief that questions the possibility of certain knowledge. It's like being a detective who doesn't take anything at face value but always looks for evidence.

Deism: This is the belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe. Imagine if someone built a clock, wound it up, and then let it run on its own - that's deism.