nominalism

American  

[nom-uh-nl-iz-uhm] / ˈnɒm ə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. (in medieval philosophy) the doctrine that general or abstract words do not stand for objectively existing entities and that universals are no more than names assigned to them.

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nominalism British  

/ ˈnɒmɪnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the philosophical theory that the variety of objects to which a single general word, such as dog, applies have nothing in common but the name Compare conceptualism realism

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Other Word Forms

• nominalist noun
• nominalistic adjective
• nominalistically adverb
• nonnominalistic adjective
• unnominalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of nominalism

From the French word nominalisme, dating back to 1830–40. See nominal, -ism

Example Sentences

At the U.N., he rejected a “declarationist nominalism which would assuage our consciences.”

From The New Yorker • Sep. 30, 2015

Such is the magnitude of these situations and their toll in innocent lives, that we must avoid every temptation to fall into a declarationist nominalism which would assuage our consciences.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2015

The formula used to express the vital point in nominalism is "Universalia post rem."

From History of Human Society by Blackmar, Frank W. (Frank Wilson)

Conceptualism sought to unite realism and nominalism through the conception of mind, or an individual substance whose meanings may possess universal validity.

From The Approach to Philosophy by Perry, Ralph Barton

Its chief importance is found in its application to the problem of realism and nominalism, the question as to the nature of universals.

From International Congress of Arts and Science, Volume I Philosophy and Metaphysics by Various