formalism (redirected from formalisms)

for·mal·ism  (fôrm-lzm)

n.

1. Rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms, as in religion or art.

2. An instance of rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms.

3. A method of aesthetic analysis that emphasizes structural elements and artistic techniques rather than content, especially in literary works.

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formal·ist adj. & n.

formal·istic adj.

formal·isti·cal·ly adv.

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formalism

Noun

concerned with outward appearances and structure at the expense of content

formalist n

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formalism

a critical emphasis upon style, arrangement, and artistic means with limited attention to content, — formalist, n. — formalistic, adj.

See also: Criticism

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	formalism - the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school imitation - the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
	2.	formalism - (philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy
	3.	formalism - the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms practice, pattern - a customary way of operation or behavior; "it is their practice to give annual raises"; "they changed their dietary pattern"