Correlativism

/kɒˈrɛlətɪvɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A philosophical or logical doctrine stating that concepts, ideas, or things only have meaning through their mutual relationships with other things.

Etymology

From correlative plus the philosophical suffix -ism (a theory or system of beliefs). A 20th-century philosophical movement that challenged absolute, independent meanings.

Kelly Says

Correlativism says nothing has meaning by itself—everything is defined by its relationships, which is a mind-bending idea that challenges how we think about identity and truth in science and philosophy.

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