This essay is concerned with exploring and analysing some of the criticisms levelled against a conception of rationality which has been variously described as, "the contemplative account of knowledge"', and, "the idealist conception of knowledge", but which we shall call the traditional theory of rationality. The essay does not make any pretence at being a complete survey of the critical appraisals which this theory of rationality has received. It has confined itself to a selection of those theoretical contributions believed to be most useful in illustrating certain fundamental ideas embodied in the traditional theory.