Definition

1. Noun:
   • A philosophical doctrine: In philosophy, "mentalism" is the doctrine that the mind is the fundamental reality and that physical objects exist only as perceptions or aspects within the mind's awareness.

Usage

• "Mentalism" is primarily used in academic and philosophical contexts to describe a specific theory about the nature of reality, contrasting with physicalism or materialism.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The philosopher's arguments were rooted in a form of mentalism, asserting that all reality is mental.
  • Berkeley's idealism is a classic example of mentalism, proposing that "to be is to be perceived."

Advanced Usage

• In Psychology: In a historical psychological context, "mentalism" can refer to an approach that emphasizes the study of conscious mental events and introspection, as opposed to behaviorism.
  • Early psychology was dominated by a form of mentalism that focused on analyzing the contents of consciousness.

Variants and Related Words

• Mentalist (noun): A proponent or practitioner of mentalism.
  • The philosopher was a noted mentalist of his time.
• Mentalistic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of mentalism.
  • His theory offered a mentalistic explanation for perception.

Synonyms

• Idealism: (In philosophy) The theory that ideas, or the mind, constitute fundamental reality.
• Immateralism: The doctrine that matter does not exist independently of perception.

Related Phrases

• "Subjective idealism": A specific form of mentalism associated with philosophers like George Berkeley.

Noun

1. (philosophy) a doctrine that mind is the true reality and that objects exist only as aspects of the mind's awareness