conceptualist
- noun
- /kənˈsɛptʃuəlɪst/
- Specialized
:
conceptualista
- Many philosophers identify as conceptualists, arguing that universals only exist in our minds.
Examples
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In this climate, the experimental character of the Spiritual Exercises became eclipsed by an unhelpful conceptualist treatise on grace.
Academic text (2001) -
The conceptualist artist focused on ideas and concepts rather than traditional techniques in her latest exhibition.
-
As a conceptualist, he believes that true understanding comes from mental constructs rather than external objects.
Antonyms
- Specialized
2
7.7
A philosopher who thinks general qualities like 'red' exist apart from the mind
Surface Forms
Morphology
conceptualist = conceptual (transparent) = concept + ual + ist
The philosophical sense ('one who believes in conceptualism') is formed by the same productive pattern 'conceptual' + '-ist', making it predictable.
Etymology
Conceptualist comes from concept meaning 'idea' and the ending -ist meaning 'a person with a view'. A philosophical conceptualist believes general 'ideas' exist only in the mind, so they focus on mental concepts rather than things outside the mind.