Platonism

[ pleyt-n-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the philosophy or doctrines of Plato or his followers.
2. a Platonic doctrine or saying.
3. the belief that physical objects are impermanent representations of unchanging Ideas, and that the Ideas alone give true knowledge as they are known by the mind.
4. (sometimes lowercase) the doctrine or practice of platonic love.

Platonism

/ ˈpleɪtəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the teachings of Plato and his followers, esp the philosophical theory that the meanings of general words are real existing abstract entities (Forms) and that particular objects have properties in common by virtue of their relationship with these Forms Compare nominalism conceptualism intuitionism
2. the realist doctrine that mathematical entities have real existence and that mathematical truth is independent of human thought
3. See Neo-Platonism

Platonism

1. The philosophy of Plato , or an approach to philosophy resembling his. For example, someone who asserts that numbers exist independently of the things they number could be called a Platonist.

Derived Forms

• ˈPlatonist, noun

Other Words From

• Pla·to·nist noun adjective
• an·ti-Pla·to·nism noun
• an·ti-Pla·to·nist noun adjective
• pro-Pla·to·nism noun
• pro-Pla·to·nist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Platonism¹

From the New Latin word Platōnismus, dating back to 1560–70. See Platonic, -ism

Example Sentences

These assertions, whether Platonism, the simulation hypothesis or my insane-god theology, can easily become escapist and nihilistic.

From Scientific American

Well, yes, but here is where we get to Lindley’s central thesis: Contemporary theoretical physicists seem to have reverted to the idealized philosophy of Platonism.

From New York Times

Many mathematicians and physicists tend toward Platonism, which suggests we don’t really invent pi or the theory of general relativity so much as we discover them.

From Scientific American

I guess it was the nascent Platonism in me: If it ain't nice or uplifting, avoid it.

From New York Times

Serious thinkers like Karl Popper, who experienced the rise of fascism up close and personal, have considered Platonism not as a model for human society, but as an absolutist philosophy that buttresses a totalitarian mindset.

From Salon