spiritualism
Use Spiritualism in a sentence
ɪBased on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
spiritualism (ˈspɪrɪtjʊəˌlɪzəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the belief that the disembodied spirits of the dead, surviving in another world, can communicate with the living in this world, esp through mediums |
| 2. | the doctrines and practices associated with this belief |
| 3. | philosophy the belief that because reality is to some extent immaterial it is therefore spiritual |
| 4. | any doctrine (in philosophy, religion, etc) that prefers the spiritual to the material |
| 5. | the condition or quality of being spiritual |
| 'spiritualist | |
| —n | |
| spiritua'listic | |
| —adj | |
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
spiritualism
in philosophy, a characteristic of any system of thought that affirms the existence of immaterial reality imperceptible to the senses. So defined, spiritualism embraces a vast array of highly diversified philosophical views. Most patently, it applies to any philosophy accepting the notion of an infinite, personal God, the immortality of the soul, or the immateriality of the intellect and will. Less obviously, it includes belief in such ideas as finite cosmic forces or a universal mind, provided that they transcend the limits of gross Materialistic interpretation. Spiritualism as such says nothing about matter, the nature of a supreme being or a universal force, or the precise nature of spiritual reality itself.
Learn more about spiritualism with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Cite This Source
