nominalism
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nominalism
From the French word nominalisme, dating back to 1830–40. See nominal, -ism
Vocabulary lists containing nominalism
Ancient Philosophy
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Medieval Europe - Middle School
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Medieval Europe - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
All our words for other than material objects are metaphors, liable to be misunderstood—a proposition which he confirms from Horne Tooke's nominalism.
From The Life of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., K.C.S.I. A Judge of the High Court of Justice by Sir Leslie Stephen
With the new position of decided nominalism the foundation was prepared for the experimental sciences on the one hand, and mysticism on the other.
From The Evolution of Love by Ellie Schleussner
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.