possibilism

noun

1. The belief that possible things exist, as well as actual things.

   countable, uncountable

2. The theory that the geographical environment sets certain constraints, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions.

   countable, uncountable

3. An approach that pragmatically focuses on achievable goals rather than impossible ideals.

   countable, uncountable

   Aim at a standard of adequacy (possibilism) rather than at a standard of perfection (utopianism).

Where it comes from

Borrowed from French possibilisme. By surface analysis, Latin possibil|is, ~e (“that can be done”) + -ism, from Latin po|ssum, ~(te)sse, ~tuī (“be able”) + -ibil|is, ~e (“-able”). First attested in 1883.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry possibilism (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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