Meliorism — Mel io*rism, n. [From L. melior better.] The doctrine that there is a tendency throughout nature toward improvement. J. Sully. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
meliorism — (n.) belief that the world tends to become better, 1868, from L. melior (see MELIORATE (Cf. meliorate)) + ISM (Cf. ism). Related: Meliorist (1835) … Etymology dictionary
meliorism — [mēl′yə riz΄əm] n. [L melior, better (see MELIORATE) + ISM] 1. the belief that the world naturally tends to get better and, esp., that this tendency can be furthered by human effort 2. the betterment of society by improving people s health,… … English World dictionary
Meliorism — William James was an earlier adherent to meliorism as a halfway between metaphysical optimism and pessimism. This article is about the philosophical concept. For the political wing of the Italian Communist Party, see Meliorism (politics).… … Wikipedia
meliorism — noun The view or doctrine that the world is neither entirely bad nor entirely good, and can be improved through human effort. Understood as an intermediate outlook, between optimism and pessimism. At the conve … Wiktionary
Meliorism (politics) — Meliorism was a wing of the Italian Communist Party. Its leader was Giorgio Napolitano, and counted among its number Gerardo Chiaromonte and Emanuele Macaluso. It was also referred to as the right wing of the Italian Communist Party, due to its… … Wikipedia
meliorism — noun Date: 1877 the belief that the world tends to improve and that humans can aid its betterment • meliorist adjective or noun • melioristic adjective … New Collegiate Dictionary
meliorism — meliorist, n., adj. melioristic, adj. /meel yeuh riz euhm, mee lee euh /, n. the doctrine that the world tends to become better or may be made better by human effort. [1855 60; < L melior better + ISM] * * * … Universalium
MELIORISM — the theory that there is in nature a tendency to better and better development … The Nuttall Encyclopaedia
meliorism — the belief the world tends to become better Philosophical Isms … Phrontistery dictionary
