What philosophical approach emphasizes reason as the foundation of knowledge according to Plato?

The philosophical approach that emphasizes reason as the foundation of knowledge according to Plato is rationalism. Rationalism posits that knowledge is primarily derived from the use of reason and intellect rather than sensory experience. Plato, particularly through his theory of Forms, argues that abstract entities, such as beauty or justice, exist beyond the physical realm and can only be understood through rational thought.

He believed that human beings possess innate knowledge and that reason enables us to access these eternal truths. This perspective contrasts with empiricism, which relies on sensory experience for knowledge acquisition, and skepticism, which questions the possibility of certain knowledge. Pragmatism, on the other hand, focuses on practical consequences and the usefulness of beliefs. Rationalism aligns with Plato's view that genuine knowledge arises from intellectual insight rather than observation alone.