voluntarism
[ vol-uhn-tuh-riz-uhm ]
/ ˈvɒl ən təˌrɪz əm /
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noun
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
First recorded in 1830–40; voluntar(y) + -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM voluntarism
vol·un·ta·rist, noun, adjectivevol·un·ta·ris·tic, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use voluntarism in a sentence
But it is a type of pragmatism quite free from dependence upon a voluntaristic psychology.
Essays in Experimental Logic|John DeweyExperience has then no longer any meaning in a voluntaristic sense; it is merely a complex of elements.
Such voluntaristic psychology would clearly belong again to a different division.
British Dictionary definitions for voluntarism
voluntarism
/ (ˈvɒləntəˌrɪzəm) /
noun
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, adjectivevoluntaristic, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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