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possibilism

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

noun

  1. Sociology. the doctrine that culture may be affected by geographical or environmental conditions but is ultimately determined by social conditions and human agency: geographical determinism ( def ), environmental determinism ( def 1 ).

    Possibilism can be observed in any situation where humans conquer their environment, such as by building roads through arid land.

  2. 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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Other Words From

  • pos·si·bil·ist noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of possibilism1

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

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