What philosophy emphasizes reason, science, and respect for humanity?

The philosophy that emphasizes reason, science, and respect for humanity is Rationalism. This broad intellectual movement asserts that reason is the primary source of knowledge and truth. Rationalists believe in the power of human reason to arrive at knowledge, which distinguishes it from other philosophical traditions that may rely on revelation, tradition, or empirical evidence alone.

Rationalism emerged prominently during the Enlightenment, a period when thinkers advocated for the application of reason and scientific inquiry to improve society and human life. This approach encouraged individuals to question traditional beliefs and to seek understanding through logical reasoning and evidence-based inquiry, laying the groundwork for advancements in various fields, including politics, ethics, and science. The connection to respect for humanity reflects the belief that human beings, through their rational faculties, can make choices and create a just society.

While deism involves a belief in a rational God and aspects of natural law, it does not necessarily encompass a full embrace of human reasoning in the same way as rationalism does. Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions to promote the greatest happiness, placing less emphasis on reason as a philosophical principle itself. Empiricism, in contrast, emphasizes sensory experience and observation as the foundation of knowledge, which can sometimes be viewed in opposition to rational