Meaning we have ideas before we are even born and that when we are born, we are born with the intention of acquiring truth and knowledge. It is believed by rationalists that knowledge cannot come from sources such as the senses. The five senses only give one's personal opinions and illegitimate. Deduction is the third characteristic of rationalism, which is to prove something with certainty rather than reason. Knowledge is attained in disciplines so that there is not the slightest bit of doubt. According to rationalism, knowledge is unchanging, eternal, and certain.
Rene Descartes is the philosopher that is most greatly accredited for conceiving the theory of rationalism. Through the writings of his meditations, Descartes exemplifies his idea of rationalism. He begins his first meditation by reflecting on the falsehoods to which he has previously believed. Descartes is said to be seated by the fire, symbolizing his readiness to demolish old opinions and beliefs and to start fresh and build a new foundation for knowledge. Descartes eventually begins his theory of knowledge by assuming that nothing exists. What he sees does not actually exist, his memory is faulty and unreliable, and his senses can easily be deceived. There is nothing that he can trust or believe. The only thing that he can be certain of is that there is not certainty. However, after his first meditation, he comes to the foundation of his proof: I think, therefore, I am. What he means by this is that he knows that he exists because of the fact that he has the ability to think. He then comes to realize he can not only think; but he can comprehend, wish, imagine, and sense.Descartes' conclusion that our intellect and thoughts are our source of knowledge opposed to our senses and imagination can be explained through his experience with wax. Initially, he considers the solid piece of wax by the means of his senses: taste, smell, color, shape, size, and hardness.
