essentialism
ih-SEN-shul-iz-um
/ɪˈsen.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/
The belief that things, including human groups, have a set of core, fixed characteristics that make them what they are.
In gender theory, criticizes the assumption that men and women have fixed, biologically determined natures.
The story behind the word. Traces to Latin 'essentia', created by Cicero to translate the Greek philosophical concept 'ousia' (being/substance). In modern philosophy, suffix '-ism' was added to denote doctrines claiming fixed underlying natures.
Word relationships
- determinism: Determinism holds that all events are determined by outside causes, while essentialism claims innate fixed qualities define identity.
- social constructivism: Social constructivism argues that identities and meanings are created by social practices, not fixed natures.
Commonly confused with
- existentialism: Existentialism posits that existence precedes essence (we create meaning), while essentialism claims essence precedes existence.
Word family
- essentialist (adjective): Characteristic of or believing in essentialism.
- essentialist (noun): A person who adheres to essentialism.
Collocations
- gender essentialism
- biological essentialism
- reject essentialism
Example sentences
- "Feminist theorists reject biological essentialism because it reduces complex social gender roles to fixed natural traits." Gender Theory (Judith Butler, Gender Trouble)
- "Philosophers debated whether cultural essentialism overlooks individual variation within societies." Philosophy
Memory hook
Essence + ism = the belief that everything has a fixed, unchanging essence. Belief in fixed underlying natures.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'essential' meaning important; essentialism is a specific philosophical doctrine about fixed essences.
Fun facts
- Simone de Beauvoir's famous line 'One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman' is a classic critique of gender essentialism.
Related words
Explore more words
essence, single-sex, stereotype, foundational, animism, intrinsic
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.