Critic to Secular Rationalism

Rationalism is an ideology that considers the exercise of reason as a superior and primary basis for knowledge derivation. Reason and human intellect are assumed to know everything that is good for man himself. Behaviorically, a rational behavior means any behavior that is logically sound. Thus, any act that maximizes gain and minimizes pain is coherent with the idea of rationalism.

In economics, man is assumed to be a rational economic man. As consumer, man tries to maximize his utility while as a producer, man tries to maximize his profit. To achieve both objectives, he must also minimize the costs incurred. Thus, optimal decision is said to be achieved when marginal benefits is equal to marginal costs. This rule of optimization provides a basis to evaluate rational behavior of man using the monetary value. Therefore, rational economic man is homo economicus where the primary objective of consumption/production is to achieve the highest level of economic satisfaction/profit whose only stimulus is ‘the sense of money’

Capitalism weighted the analysis of marginal benefit and marginal cost by valuing the individual interest to be more superior than the social interest. This is parallel with the idea of self-interest advocated by the system. However, this pattern of thinking and priority will not create a harmonious society and will also fail to sustain its economic development. Rationality guided by self-interest with its nervous system sensitive to the touch of money would result in an individualistic, greedy and rivalrous system.

Moreover, the secular idea of rationalism is erroneous because the ideology is uncertain on the ultimate meaning of right and wrong. As far as truth is concerned, the secular judgment relies on the palate of rationality. Clash on what is truth could exist due to conflict of interest between one individual with another individual or between an individual with a society or between a society with another society.

Truth is not an outcome of democratic majority. Nonetheless, a secular society would clarify the confusion on truth based on this principle. Consequently, the approach taken has resulted in confusion in the practice of rationalism because it creates a position where sense is no longer sensible.