essentialism

American  

[uh-sen-shuh-liz-uhm] / əˈsɛn ʃəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. Philosophy. a doctrine that the inward, or essential, nature of most things is invariable, as opposed to the properties that are accidental, phenomenal, illusory, etc.

2. Education. a doctrine that certain traditional concepts, ideals, and skills are essential to society and should be taught methodically to all students, regardless of individual ability, need, etc.

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essentialism British  

/ ɪˈsɛnʃəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy one of a number of related doctrines which hold that there are necessary properties of things, that these are logically prior to the existence of the individuals which instantiate them, and that their classification depends upon their satisfaction of sets of necessary conditions

2. the doctrine that education should concentrate on teaching basic skills and encouraging intellectual self-discipline

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• essentialist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of essentialism

First recorded in 1935–40; essential + -ism

Example Sentences

Essentialism is the view that a set of characteristics makes something what it is.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Essentialism suggests that there are certain essential characteristics that make a woman a woman or a man a man.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Essentialism likewise appears to lure designers of emotion AI systems to follow Darwin down this comfortable path, with its assumption that emotions evolved via natural selection to serve important functions.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2022

Essentialism beliefs may account for our species' peculiar—and surprisingly recent—history of medical cannibalism as well.

From Slate • Dec. 16, 2010

Less familiar is Essentialism, although hosts of U.S. citizens lean toward the Essentialists.

From Time Magazine Archive