atomism

American  

[at-uh-miz-uhm] / ˈæt əˌmɪz əm /

noun

1. Also called atomic theory.  Philosophy. the theory that minute, discrete, finite, and indivisible elements are the ultimate constituents of all matter.

2. Psychology. a method or theory that reduces all psychological phenomena to simple elements.

---

atomism British  

/ ˈætəˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. an ancient philosophical theory, developed by Democritus and expounded by Lucretius, that the ultimate constituents of the universe are atoms See atom

2. 1. any of a number of theories that hold that some objects or phenomena can be explained as constructed out of a small number of distinct types of simple indivisible entities

   2. any theory that holds that an understanding of the parts is logically prior to an understanding of the whole Compare holism

3. psychol the theory that experiences and mental states are composed of elementary units

---

Other Word Forms

• atomist noun
• atomistic adjective
• atomistical adjective
• atomistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of atomism

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

She begins in the 5th century B.C., when Democritus formulated his atomism, locating the ultimate nature of things in matter rather than divinity.

From Washington Post • Apr. 10, 2023

One of the views that resonates with the contemporary reader is that of atomism.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Note that the atomism alluded to here is different from what is referred to as atomic theory.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

It is known for its naturalism, and scholars of the Vaisheshika school developed a form of atomism.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

How did he know that it involved Lucretian atomism?

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton