How Do You Spell LEGALISM?

Pronunciation: [lˈiːɡəlˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Legalism, pronounced as /ˈliːɡəlɪz(ə)m/, is a term used to describe a strict adherence to the law or a set of rules. The spelling of "legalism" follows English orthography, with "l-e-g-a-l-i-s-m" representing the phonemes of the word. The stress is placed on the first syllable, denoted by the apostrophe mark in the IPA transcription. The phonetic transcription further reveals the vowel sounds and consonant clusters that make up the word, aiding in its proper pronunciation. Legalism is often associated with rigid adherence to religious or moral codes, especially in the context of Eastern religions such as Confucianism.

LEGALISM Meaning and Definition

1. Legalism is an ideological perspective or philosophical doctrine that emphasizes strict adherence to a set of laws, rules, regulations, or principles as the guiding force behind social order, individual conduct, or the application of justice. It is characterized by an unwavering belief in the importance of legal codes, and a strong emphasis on formalities, obedience, and conformity to established rules.

   In the context of governance or political systems, legalism often entails placing a significant emphasis on the rule of law, where laws serve as the foundation for societal organization, and enforcement mechanisms maintain order. This ideology tends to prioritize the authority and legitimacy of legal processes and institutions.

   Legalism may also be associated with a rigid belief in absolute moral and ethical truths, with little room for flexibility or contextual interpretation. It often views compliance with rules and regulations as the primary determinant of moral rightness or wrongness.

   While legalism can promote social stability and predictability by providing clear guidelines for behavior, it has also been criticized for its potential to stifle individual freedom and creativity, as well as for its potential to overlook the complexities of human behavior and situations.

Common Misspellings for LEGALISM

• legalises
• leagalism
• legalis
• legalisim
• legilise
• legallise
• levalism
• leaglism
• legallism
• hegalism
• lecalism
• Devalism
• heglism
• regalisem
• regallism
• Sexalism
• Regalisim
• Levaelism
• Mugalism
• Hegolism
• Hegaelism
• Legalesim
• Lejalism

Etymology of LEGALISM

The word "legalism" has its origins in the Latin word "lex", meaning "law". It is derived from the Latin term "legalis", which pertains to law or relating to the law. The suffix "-ism" is derived from the Greek "-ismos", which is used to form nouns indicating a belief, action, or behavior. Therefore, "legalism" can be understood as a noun referring to the belief or adherence to the strict letter or technical interpretation of the law, often at the expense of its spirit or principles.

Similar spelling words for LEGALISM

• legalise,
• leglike,
• legalese,
• legalize.

Plural form of LEGALISM is LEGALISMS