mentalism

[men-tl-iz-uhm]

noun

1. the doctrine that objects of knowledge have no existence except in the mind of the perceiver.

2. the doctrine that human conduct reflects the operation of a nonmaterial principle.

3. any psychological theory that accepts as a proper subject of study the mental basis for human behavior.

mentalism

/ ˈmɛntəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciousness Compare physicalism idealism See also monism materialism

Other Word Forms

• mentalistic adjective
• mentalistically adverb
• mentalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mentalism¹

First recorded in 1870–75; mental ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

The Clairvoyants perform mentalism, the branch of magic that encapsulates all things mind-reading, precognition and extrasensory perception.

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He gradually shifted from standard magic to mentalism.

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Whether through tarot readings, sideshow mentalism or psychoanalysis, “Nightmare Alley” frequently reaches toward the unknowable.

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Both psychology and mentalism call for a level of heightened discernment, a Sherlock Holmes-ian ability to decipher the meaning of clothing, behavior and body language.

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Without breaking stride, she answers that question with brisk detours into mind control, telepathy, mentalism and the like.

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