intuitionism

in·tu·i·tion·ism  (nt-sh-nzm, -ty-)

n. Philosophy

1. The theory that truth or certain truths are known by intuition rather than reason.

2. The theory that external objects of perception are immediately known to be real by intuition.

3. The theory that ethical principles are known to be valid through intuition.

4. The view that the subject matter of mathematics consists of the mental or symbolic constructions of mathematicians rather than independent and timeless abstractions, as is held in Platonism.

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intu·ition·ist n.

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intuitionism [ˌɪntjʊˈɪʃəˌnɪzəm], intuitionalism

n

1. (Philosophy) (in ethics)

a.  the doctrine that there are moral truths discoverable by intuition

b.  the doctrine that there is no single principle by which to resolve conflicts between intuited moral rules See also deontological

2. (Philosophy) Philosophy the theory that general terms are used of a variety of objects in accordance with perceived similarities Compare nominalism, Platonism

3. (Philosophy / Logic) Logic the doctrine that logical axioms rest on prior intuitions concerning time, negation, and provability

4. (Philosophy / Logic)

a.  the theory that mathematics cannot intelligibly comprehend the properties of infinite sets, and that only what can be shown to be provable can be justifiably asserted

b.  the reconstruction of mathematics or logic in accordance with this view Compare formalism, logicism, finitism

5. (Philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge, esp of the external world, is acquired by intuition

intuitionist , intuitionalist n

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

intuitionism - (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is acquired primarily by intuition philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy