Rationalism

Philosophical account

A precise, structured explanation of what something is, what its essential properties are, how it functions, and what conditions must be satisfied for it to apply.

It usually includes:

1. Definition (necessary and sufficient conditions, if possible)

2. Ontological status (what kind of thing is it?)

3. Epistemic status (how do we know about it?)

4. Normative implications (what follows from accepting it?)

5. Boundary conditions (what it is not)