Dividualism

/dɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A philosophical or anthropological view treating entities as divisible and composed of separable parts rather than unified wholes.

Etymology

From 'dividual' plus '-ism' (a suffix for belief systems), creating a philosophical stance. This term emerged in academic philosophy and anthropology to contrast with individualism and holism.

Kelly Says

In modern anthropology, 'dividualism' flips Western assumptions about identity—some Pacific cultures view persons as made up of detachable relationships and exchanges rather than bounded individuals, which dividualism describes perfectly.

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