perspectivism
|per-spec-tiv-ism|
🇺🇸
/pərˈspɛktɪvɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/pəˈspɛktɪvɪzəm/
viewpoint-dependent truth
Etymology
'perspectivism' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'perspective' plus the suffix '-ism', where 'perspective' ultimately comes from Latin 'perspectiva' (via Old French 'perspective'). In the Latin roots, 'per-' meant 'through' and 'specere' (or 'spec-') meant 'to look' or 'see'.
'perspective' came into English via Old French from Latin 'perspectiva' (meaning 'a looking through' or 'optics'); English later formed the abstract noun 'perspectivism' by adding the productive suffix '-ism' to express a doctrine or theory based on 'perspective'.
Initially related to literal seeing or the study of visual perspective ('seeing through' or 'view'); over time the term (with -ism) evolved to name a doctrinal position: the idea that truth/knowledge depends on a viewpoint (philosophical usage).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a philosophical doctrine that claims knowledge, truth, or value is always relative to a particular perspective or standpoint; there are no absolute, view-independent truths.
Perspectivism argues that different cultural or individual standpoints can yield different, incompatible but locally valid truths.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in art, literature, and criticism: an approach or technique that emphasizes representation from particular viewpoints or the presentation of multiple perspectives.
In the novel, perspectivism is employed by telling the same events from several characters' points of view.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/13 22:34