Conventionalism

/kənˈvɛnʃənəlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A philosophical or social attitude that emphasizes conformity to established customs, conventions, and standards; the theory that conventional rules are what make things meaningful.

Etymology

From 'conventional' + '-ism.' The philosophical meaning developed in the 19th-20th centuries, particularly in philosophy of language and mathematics where 'conventionalism' disputes whether rules are natural or just agreed-upon.

Kelly Says

In philosophy, 'conventionalism' asks a wild question: Is the number 2 special because the universe made it that way, or just because we agreed it matters?

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