Mechanistic Meaning
/ˌmɛkəˈnɪstɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHaving the impersonal and automatic characteristics of a machine.
adjPredetermined by, or as if by, a mechanism.
Sentence Examples
The mechanistic approach focuses on details.
He has a mechanistic view of the world.
He took a mechanistic view of the human brain.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ view ignored the spiritual side of life and focused on machines.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Some philosophers argue that a purely ____ view of the human mind ignores the complexity of emotions.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der.? Ancient Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ)der. New Latin mechanismuslbor. English mechan(ism) ▲ Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English -istic English mechanistic From mechan(ism) + -istic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Such ateleological explanation is what is meant by mechanistic explanation in the broad sense."
— 1908, William McDougall, An Introduction to Social Psychology, section 449:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ view ignored the spiritual side of life and focused on machines.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Some philosophers argue that a purely ____ view of the human mind ignores the complexity of emotions.