ELAP ISM Vocab

existentialism: each man exists as an individual in a purposeless universe, and he must oppose
his hostile environment through the exercise of his free will.
2. nihilism: the belief that there is no meaning or purpose in existence
3. *solipsism: the theory that the self is the only thing really existent
4. heroism: qualities of bravery, noble action; admired by others
5. nationalism: patriotism; national interests are most important
6. imperialism: an empire of many nations and areas all controlled by a central government
7. objectivism: the doctrine that stresses the objective reality of all that is known or perceived (an
object as distinguished from something existing only in the mind)
8. materialism: the doctrine that matter is the only reality and that everything in the world,
including thought, will, feeling, can be explained only in terms of matter; comfort, pleasure, and
wealth are the only or highest goals or values
9. anarchism: all forms of government interfere unjustly with individual liberty and are,
therefore, undesirable
10. dogmatism: the expression of an opinion or belief as if it were a fact : positiveness in assertion
of opinion especially when unwarranted or arrogant. A dogmatic assertion of opinion, usually
without reference to evidence.
11. determinism: everything is entirely determined by a sequence of causes—choice of action not
free, but determined by a sequence of causes independent of will (mechanical)
12. isolationism: stay out of other’s area. a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of
other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.
13. empiricism: in philosophy, the theory that sensory experience is the only source of knowledge;
dependence of a person on his own experience and observation, disregarding theory, reasoning,
and science
14. pessimism: the doctrine or belief that the existing world is the worst possible; belief that evil
outweighs good; the practice of looking at the dark side
15. mysticism: doctrine that it is possible to achieve communion with God through contemplation
and love without the medium of human reasoning; achieving spiritual truths through intuition