Platonism

noun

Pla·​to·​nism ˈplā-tə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce Platonism (audio)
1
a
: the philosophy of Plato stressing especially that actual things are copies of transcendent ideas and that these ideas are the objects of true knowledge apprehended by reminiscence
2
Platonist noun
Platonistic adjective

Examples of Platonism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lorenzo, his grandson, who came to unofficial power in 1469, wrote a long philosophical poem about his conversion to Platonism. Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 These assertions, whether Platonism, the simulation hypothesis or my insane-god theology, can easily become escapist and nihilistic. John Horgan, Scientific American, 14 June 2022 Other scholars—especially those working in other branches of science—view Platonism with skepticism. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2020 For the purposes of human population genetics and phylogenetics the main issue is the historical and cognitive bias toward Platonism and types. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Aug. 2012

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Platonism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Platonism was circa 1570

Dictionary Entries Near Platonism

Cite this Entry

“Platonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Platonism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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