possibilism

[ pos-uh-buh-liz-uhm- ]

/ ˈpɒs ə bəˌlɪz əm /

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noun

Sociology. the doctrine that culture may be affected by geographical or environmental conditions but is ultimately determined by social conditions and human agency: Possibilism can be observed in any situation where humans conquer their environment, such as by building roads through arid land.See also geographical determinism, environmental determinism (def. 1).

Politics. a belief in pursuing moderate, practical, or feasible reforms: Libertarian possibilism advocated achieving anarchist ends by participating in the structures of contemporary parliamentary democracy.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of possibilism

First recorded in 1865–70, equivalent to Latin possibl(is) possible + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM possibilism

pos·si·bil·ist, noun

Words nearby possibilism

possessive, possessive adjective, possessive pronoun, possessory, posset, possibilism, possibility, possible, possible world, possibly, possibly extinct