- ə lˌizəm, -mnəˌli- noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a theory that there are no universal essences in reality and that the mind can frame no single concept or image corresponding to any universal or general term ; specifically : a theory advanced by the medieval thinker Roscellinus that universal terms such as indicate genus or species and all general collective words or terms such as animal, man, tree, air, city, nation, wagon have no objective real existence corresponding to them but are mere words, names, or terms or mere vocal utterances and that only particular individual things and events exist — compare conceptualism , realism
b. : a logical or mathematical theory excluding from its language any names or variables for such abstract or higher level entities as classes — contrasted with platonism
2. : a sociological doctrine or theory that holds that society is merely an aggregate of discrete individuals and that it has no superorganic reality — contrasted with realism