individuation

in·di·vid·u·a·tion

noun \-ˌvi-jə-ˈwā-shən\

Definition of INDIVIDUATION

1

: the act or process of individuating: as

a (1) : the development of the individual from the universal (2) : the determination of the individual in the general

b : the process by which individuals in society become differentiated from one another

c : regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis

2

: the state of being individuated; specifically : individuality

First Known Use of INDIVIDUATION

1628

Rhymes with INDIVIDUATION

characterization, circumnavigation, commercialization, criminalization, cross-examination, de-Stalinization, decentralization, declassification, decontamination, dehumanization, demystification, deterioration, differentiation, disassociation, disorientation, disorganization, disqualification, diversification, electrification, excommunication, exemplification, experimentation, extemporization, externalization, generalization, homogenization, hospitalization, hyperventilation, idealization, identification, indemnification, indetermination, indiscrimination, insubordination, intensification, intermediation, italicization, masculinization, megacorporation, militarization, miniaturization, misappropriation, miscommunication, misinterpretation, misrepresentation, monopolization, nonproliferation, overcompensation, overpopulation, personification, popularization, predetermination, ratiocination, rationalization, recapitulation, reconciliation, reconsideration, rehabilitation, reinterpretation, reorganization, revitalization, secularization, solidification, tintinnabulation, transubstantiation, underestimation, undervaluation, visualization

in·di·vid·u·a·tion

noun \-ˌvij-ə-ˈwā-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INDIVIDUATION

1

: the process in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung by which the self is formed by integrating elements of the conscious and unconscious mind

2

: regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis

—in·di·vid·u·ate \-ˈvij-ə-ˌwāt\ (audio pronunciation) transitive verb, in·di·vid·u·at·ed; in·di·vid·u·at·ing

individuation

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Determination that an individual identified in one way is numerically identical with or distinct from an individual identified in another way (e.g., Venus, known as “the morning star” in the morning and “the evening star” in the evening). Since the concept of an individual seems to require that it be recognizable as such in several possible situations, the problem of individuation is of great importance in ontology and logic. The problem of identifying an individual existing at two different times (transtemporal identity) is one of many forms that the problem of individuation can take: What makes that caterpillar identical with this butterfly? What makes the person you are now identical with the person you were a decade ago? In modal logic, the problem of transworld individuation (or transworld identity) is of importance because the standard model of theoretic semantics for systems of modal logic assumes that it makes sense to speak of the same individual existing in more than one possible world.