formalism has definitions from the field of philosophy
1
[ noun ] (philosophy) the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented

Used in print

(John F. Hayward, "Mimesis and Symbol in the Arts"...)

These polar concerns ( imitation vs. formalism ) reflect a philosophical and religious situation which has been developing over a long period_of_time .

We need a doctrine of imitation to save us from the solipsism and futility of pure formalism .

Related terms

imitation doctrine

2
[ noun ] (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
3
[ noun ] the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms

Related terms

practice

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