Rationalist isnt paid to have thoughts (11)
I believe the answer is:
freethinker
'rationalist' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for freethinker that I've seen before include "Someone with opinions formed independently" , "Person who rejects accepted opinions" , "I take a rational view" , "Rationalist" , "Person not holding generally accepted beliefs" .)