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conventionalist

conventionalist

8.5
A person who believes basic truths come from social agreement
  • noun
  • /kənˈvɛnʃənəlɪst/
  • Formal
translation icon : convencionalista
  • The debate highlighted the differences between innovative thinkers and conventionalists who resist change.

Examples

  • As a conventionalist, she believed that traditions are essential for maintaining social order.

  • In place of that which is right or just by nature, the conventionalist substitutes that which is by nature good: "By nature, everyone seeks his own good and nothing but his own good."

    Academic text (2003)
  • Conventionalist 10

    Academic text (2010)
  • Many conventionalists argue that societal norms shape our understanding of morality.

Antonyms

A person who does not follow the usual customs or rules of society

How Rigid

sclerotic thinking
  • Formal
9.3
conventionalist
  • Formal
8.5
openness
35 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

conventionalist = conventional (semi-transparent) = convention + al + ist

Built from 'conventional' + '-ist' denoting an adherent; the formation is clear though the philosophical meaning 'conventionalism' is a specialized doctrine.

Etymology

Conventionalist as a noun comes from convention ('an agreement people accept') and -ist ('a person'). A conventionalist is someone who thinks rules or truths come from human agreement rather than from something fixed, so they see principles as made by society, not by nature.