atomism

[ at-uh-miz-uhm ]

/ ˈæt əˌmɪz əm /

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noun

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

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

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Origin of atomism

First recorded in 1670–80

OTHER WORDS FROM atomism

at·om·ist, nounat·om·is·tic, at·om·is·ti·cal, adjectiveat·om·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use atomism in a sentence

Such a committee can judge people in full, not as an atomistic collection of receipts and isolated life events.
Appoint Real People, Not Saints|Philip K. Howard|March 25, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Its defects lie in its "atomistic view of industry and politics."
The I.W.W.|Paul Frederick Brissenden
This atomistic hypothesis goes furthest of all the different views as to the extension of consciousness.
The Riddle of the Universe at the close of the nineteenth century|Ernst Haeckel
The counter-view put forth in his great work, Leviathan, is commonly called atomistic.
History of Modern Philosophy|Alfred William Benn

A deeper insight into the relations prevailing here is offered from the atomistic point of view.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various
In the first place we have to get rid of the overpowering influence of an atomistic psychology.
Determinism or Free-Will?|Chapman Cohen

British Dictionary definitions for atomism

atomism

/ (ˈætəˌmɪzəm) /

noun

an ancient philosophical theory, developed by Democritus and expounded by Lucretius, that the ultimate constituents of the universe are atomsSee atom (def. 3)

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
any theory that holds that an understanding of the parts is logically prior to an understanding of the wholeCompare holism (def. 3)

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

Derived forms of atomism

atomist, noun, adjectiveatomistic or atomistical, adjectiveatomistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012