voluntarism
Philosophy. any theory that regards will as the fundamental agency or principle, in metaphysics, epistemology, or psychology.
the principle or practice of supporting churches, schools, hospitals, etc., by voluntary contributions or aid instead of relying on government assistance.
any policy or practice based on voluntary action.
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Origin of voluntarism
1Other words from voluntarism
- vol·un·ta·rist, noun, adjective
- vol·un·ta·ris·tic, adjective
Words Nearby voluntarism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use voluntarism in a sentence
One particular school of voluntarism (Wundt) reduces the motive-force of energy to will.
The Wonders of Life | Ernst HaeckelThe two great characteristics of the British race—initiative and endurance—are due to this burning flame of voluntarism.
Drake, Nelson and Napoleon | Walter RuncimanThis difference is wrongly set forth if the antithesis to voluntarism is called intellectualism.
Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 | VariousOn the contrary: voluntarism, we say, is right in every respect except in believing itself to be psychology.
Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 | VariousThe antithesis is also misinterpreted, or at least wrongly narrowed, if it is called voluntarism versus associationism.
Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 | Various
British Dictionary definitions for voluntarism
/ (ˈvɒləntəˌrɪzəm) /
philosophy the theory that the will rather than the intellect is the ultimate principle of reality
a doctrine or system based on voluntary participation in a course of action
the belief that the state, government, and the law should not interfere with the procedures of collective bargaining and of trade union organization
another name for voluntaryism
Derived forms of voluntarism
- voluntarist, noun, adjective
- voluntaristic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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