1.

"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death"--Patrick Henry

2.

Rationalism (or the Age of Reason) is 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" (Arpin 14). It began in Europe near the end of the seventeeth century when groups of philosophers and scientists formulated ideas on a way of life outside of Puritist religion. The ideas soon spread to the American colonies, and many Puritists began to question their way of life. As time passed, Puritist beliefs were proven to be false or ineffective, and soon the colonial U.S. began one of its largest changes in history. Historical events such as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Zulon Pike Expedition, the American Revolution, the signing of the Declaration of Independance, the Revenue Act of 1767, and many discoveries by Galileo, Sir Issac Newton, and Einstein occured within the Age of Reason. 7

.5.

Rationalists believe that everything has a logical explanation, and focus mainly on the "impressions made on the intellect" (radicalacademy.com). They also believe that the Bible was not created to be the sole guide to living their lives, but that God intended for us to make conscious decisions and gave us an opportunity to discover certain aspects of the world for ourselves. Rationalism was the "beginning of an open society where individuals were free to pursue individual happiness and liberty" (allabouthistory.org). It “couples sense perceptions with logic and evidence” (radicalacademy.com) and allows one to imagine the possibilities.

Rationalism was the era when mankind first began its search for knowledge and truth.

Works Cited

Zaman, Aparthib. "Rationalism - It's Meaning and Implications". 8-14-08 <http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_?/rationalist_day/rationalism_aparthib.htm>.

Arpin, Gary Q. "The Age of Reason: Tinkerers and Experimenters". Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2007.

"THE PHILOSOPHY OF RATIONALISM". The Radical Academy. 8-15-08 <http://radicalacademy.com/adiphilrationalism.htm>.

"Age of Reason – Open Society ". All About History. 8-15-08 <http://www.allabouthistory.org/age-of-reason.htm>.

KEY:

1. Free-Thinker “Pill” --- A free-thinker is one who reasons.

2.  Age of Reason Icon --- Rationalism is also known as the Age of Reason.

“Imagine” Peace Graffiti --- Imagine the possibilities created by reasoning.

“Brain is full” Comic ---

5.  Cartoon Einstein --- Einstein made many important discoveries during the time of Rationalism.

School of Venice ---

7.  “Thinker” Chimp --- The “Thinker” pose represents the ability to think and reason.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence --- This was a major event that occurred as a result of Rationalist thinking.