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possibilism. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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English
Etymology
From Latin possibilis (“that can be done”), from posse (“be able”), + -ism.
Noun
possibilism (countable and uncountable, plural possibilisms)
- (philosophy) The belief that possible things exist, as well as actual things.
- Antonym: actualism
- The theory that the geographical environment sets certain constraints, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions.
- An approach that pragmatically focuses on achievable goals rather than impossible ideals.
1970, The Journal of the College & University Personnel Association:Aim at a standard of adequacy (possibilism) rather than at a standard of perfection (utopianism).
- (sometimes derogatory) Any of various socialist reform movements.
Derived terms
Translations
the belief that possible things exist