FAQs
What is a rationalist?
A rationalist is a person who accepts the supremacy of reason, and aims at establishing a system of philosophy and ethics independent of arbitrary assumptions and authority.
What is rationalism?
Rationalism is a movement that exists to promote the role of reason in approaching and finding solutions to the wide range of issues and problems that confront us.
Rationalism argues for a rational approach to human problem-solving, suggests reasoned alternatives to religious dogmas, defends freedom of thought and civil liberties and strives for the secularisation of politics, the education system and society in general. Its members endorse a scientific approach and work to counter superstition and promote an open and just society.
Does this mean rationalists ignore their feelings and emotions?
Not at all. That would be irrational!
What do rationalists believe?
Rationalists believe that one’s beliefs and conduct should be based on a combination of experience and reason. It is to a large degree a development of the ideas and values of the eighteenth century ‘Enlightenment’. Our basic beliefs have been conveniently summarised by the American philosopher, John Searle (Mind, Language and Society: Philosophy in the Real World, Phoenix, 1999, pg 10)
- There is a real world that exists independently of us, independently of our experiences, our thoughts, our language.
- We have direct perceptual access to that world through our senses, especially touch and vision.
- Words in our language, words like rabbit or tree, typically have reasonably clear meanings. Because of their meanings, they can be used to refer to and talk about real objects in the world.
- Our statements are typically true or false depending on whether they correspond to how things are, that is, to the facts in the world.
- Causation is a real relation among objects and events in the world, a relation whereby one phenomenon, the cause, causes another, the effect.
In addition to John Searle’s points above, rationalists also believe that:
- Reason is man’s central capacity, and it enables him not only to think, but to act, correctly.
- An open, egalitarian and secular democracy that respects minority rights and interests and champions fairness, justice and equality maximises the probability of achieving a free and rational society.
- A universal, free and secular education system is a basic requirement for a free, democratic and rational society.
- Free access to information and means of communication is a basic requirement for a free, democratic and rational society.
- Beliefs are to be accepted only on the basis of reason and evidence, not on the authority of priests, sacred texts, or tradition.
- Allegedly supernatural phenomena can be explained in naturalistic terms.
Do rationalists think they are smarter than everyone else?
Rationalists are people who have thought hard and rigorously about life and its meaning. This does not necessarily mean they are smarter than other people, but perhaps they are more thoughtful and aware than those who accept uncritically what they are told.
Are rationalists also ‘economic rationalists’?
No! Rationalism in our sense must be distinguished from ‘economic rationalism’, which many of us would see as not rational at all. Economic rationalism is a term applied originally by Michael Pussey of the Australian National University to characterise economic policies that focussed purely on monetary worth as a measure of value, without taking into account social and moral considerations, such as issues of fairness, justice or equality. In other words, it is ‘the view that commercial activity...represents a sphere of activity in which moral considerations, beyond the rule of business probity dictated by enlightened self-interest, have no role to play’. (Quiggin, John 'Economic rationalism', Crossings, 2(1), 1997, pg 3-12) Most rationalists in our sense would believe that issues of fairness, justice or equality should be taken into account in designing economic policies.
What is the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA)?
The Rationalist Society of Australia is a society of committed rationalists who have joined together to promote rationalism in Australia. The aims of the RSA as stated in the constitution can be seen here.
What does the RSA do?
In order to achieve its aims, the RSA:
Where does the RSA get its money?
The RSA gets its money from members’ subscriptions, Australian Rationalist journal subscriptions, donations and legacies. Two important legacies of over $500,000 have enabled the rationalist movement to be financially secure.
The finances of the movement are cared for by a group of ‘trustees’ who are the directors of an incorporated non-profit company called the Rationalist Association of Australia, which invests the money and makes grants to the RSA when required.
What is the Rationalist Association of Australia (RAA)?
The Rationalist Association of Australia is in effect a body of trustees who hold the funds of the rationalist movement and aim to maintain and increase them through investment. Formally it is a company limited by guarantee. Like any other company, it reports each year to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and its annual statement and audited accounts are publicly accessible. Money left to the rationalist movement is usually left to the RAA. Its affairs are conducted by a board which is elected annually by its members.
Why is the RAA separate from the RSA?
Historically the rationalist movement has always been small in membership numbers (although not perhaps in talent). This has left it vulnerable to an organised takeover bid by a group or groups hostile to it or its aims. In 1926, in order to protect the movement and its funds (currently well over one million dollars), a small group of rationalists established the Rationalist Association of Australia Limited, and organised it in such a way that the members of the company were elected by existing members, thus ensuring continuity of management and mission.
What does the RAA do?
Over the years the RAA has used its funds (augmented from time to time by bequests) to support various projects of interest to rationalists. In recent years, most of the earnings from the RAA’s investments have been used to subsidise the Australian Rationalist and the other activities of the RSA, such as conferences and talks.
What is the relationship between the RAA and the RSA?
The RSA is seen as the operational arm of the movement, with an executive and committee elected annually by all RSA members, while the RAA keeps the movement’s money secure and supports the RSA in its programs and activities. In practice, there is a substantial overlap of membership between the committee of the RSA and the board of the RAA, and they often hold joint meetings.
How can I join?
Just fill in the form.
Can I subscribe to the journal without becoming a
member of the RSA?
Yes. Click here to subscribe.