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