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. See intuitionism, conceptualism, nominalism
   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
   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

There was the purest Platonism at bottomOf all his feelings.

From Project Gutenberg

Platonism, embraced by the early Fathers, was a collection of abstractions and theories, but was deficient in method.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the more remarkable because it is not an essential element in Neo-Platonism, upon which Gabirol's system is based.

From Project Gutenberg

He shows a better knowledge of Aristotelian ideas than his predecessors, and is well versed in Neo-Platonism.

From Project Gutenberg

Platonism, which offers delightful games for such subtle wit as his, he especially liked to play with.

From Project Gutenberg