mentalism
|men-tal-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˈmɛn.təl.ɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈmɛn(t)əl.ɪzəm/
focus on the mind (doctrine/practice)
Etymology
'mentalism' originates from Modern English, formed from the adjective 'mental' + the suffix '-ism', where 'mental' comes from Latin 'mentalis' meaning 'of the mind' and '-ism' denotes a doctrine, system, or practice.
'mentalis' in Latin derives from 'mens' (genitive 'mentis') meaning 'mind'. The adjective 'mental' entered English via Medieval/Modern Latin and French; the noun 'mentalism' was formed in English in the late 19th century to denote doctrines or practices related to the mind.
Initially it referred broadly to doctrines concerning the mind ('relating to the mind'); over time it has come to denote specific philosophical positions, psychological approaches, and a distinct performance genre involving simulated psychic feats.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a philosophical doctrine or view that treats the mind or mental phenomena as the fundamental reality or primary basis of existence (often contrasted with materialism).
In some forms of idealism, mentalism holds that consciousness is primary and the physical world depends on mind.
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Noun 2
an approach in psychology and cognitive science that explains behavior in terms of internal mental states and processes rather than only observable behavior.
Behaviorists criticized mentalism for relying on unobservable constructs like beliefs and desires.
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Noun 3
the performance art or practice in stage magic and entertainment where a performer (a mentalist) appears to demonstrate extraordinary mental powers such as mind reading, telepathy, or clairvoyance.
The show featured mentalism, with the performer correctly 'reading' audience members' thoughts.
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Last updated: 2025/12/21 22:04