SUBSTANTIALISM Meaning and
Definition
-
Substantialism is a philosophical concept that refers to the belief or doctrine that substances or entities have an independent and objective existence, unaffected by the mind or perception. It holds that these substances possess inherent qualities or properties that define their nature, regardless of any external factors or subjective perceptions.
In simple terms, substantialism views the world as composed of distinct and autonomous substances, assuming their existence is separate from human thought or observation. This position asserts that objects or entities have intrinsic reality and do not rely on any relational or subjective aspects for their existence.
This concept is commonly associated with the philosophical tradition of realism, which emphasizes the existence of an external reality that is independent of the mind. Substantialism opposes philosophical schools of thought that argue for the significance of subjectivity, such as idealism, which holds that the nature of reality is shaped by mental constructs or perceptions.
Furthermore, substantialism is often contrasted with nominalism, a philosophical stance that denies the existence of general or abstract substances and instead argues that reality is composed solely of particular or individual entities.
In summary, substantialism is a philosophical perspective that asserts the existence of independent substances or entities, insisting that their nature and qualities are inherent and not subject to universal or subjective influences.
Etymology of SUBSTANTIALISM
The word "substantialism" is derived from the root word "substance" combined with the suffix "-ism".
"Substance" stems from the Latin word "substantia", which originally referred to the essential nature or essence of something. The word "substantia" is a combination of "sub" meaning "under" and "stantia" meaning "standing" or "being". In Latin, "substantia" represented the underlying reality or material that composed an object or thing.
The suffix "-ism" is a common suffix used to form nouns denoting a particular belief, system, or ideology. It is derived from the Greek suffix "-ismos" and ultimately from the Greek verb "-izein", which means "to act in a certain way" or "to form into". The suffix "-ism" is often added to the words to form abstract nouns representing a specific doctrine or theory.
