formalism

Meanings

Plural: formalisms

Noun

• the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented
• (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
• the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
• Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.
• One of several alternative computational paradigms for a given theory.
• An approach to interpretation and/or evaluation focused on the (usually linguistic) structure of a literary work rather than on the contexts of its origin or reception.
• The tendency to elevate formal above expressive value in music, as in serialism.
• A particular mathematical or scientific theory or description of a given state or effect.
• A formal expression of a grammar; a formal grammar; a set of rules of syntax that, without reference to semantics, determine whether a sequence of symbols is a well-formed sentence in a given formal language.
• The ontological view of mathematics as a mere collection of string manipulation rules.

Antonyms

imitation

Related Words

formalist, formulism