Formalism
nounverified·updated May 18, 2026
(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
Framework senses
- §1
- the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
- §2
- the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented
- §3
- (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