Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characteristic of intuitionism: This describes something that pertains to the philosophical doctrine of intuitionism, which holds that certain truths or principles are known directly by intuition rather than through reasoning or sensory experience.
   • Adhering to intuitionism: This describes a person or perspective that follows or supports the tenets of intuitionism.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The philosopher presented an intuitionist argument for moral knowledge.
  • Her intuitionist approach to ethics differs significantly from utilitarian theories.

Advanced Usage

• In logic and mathematics, an intuitionist foundation rejects certain classical principles, like the law of the excluded middle, in favor of constructions that are mentally evident or "intuitable."
  • Brouwer was a leading proponent of intuitionist mathematics.

Variants and Related Words

• Intuitionism (n): The philosophical theory or system that is the basis for the adjective "intuitionist."
  • Intuitionism in ethics claims we have an intuitive grasp of right and wrong.
• Intuitionistic (adj): A less common variant synonymous with "intuitionist," often used in technical contexts like logic.
  • Intuitionistic logic has different rules from classical logic.

Synonyms

• Non-rationalist (in specific philosophical contexts, emphasizing knowledge gained outside of reason).
• Anti-foundationalist (in some epistemological contexts, opposing the reduction of knowledge to basic axioms).

Notes on Different Meanings

• As an adjective, "intuitionist" is primarily used in academic, philosophical, and mathematical contexts. It is not typically used in everyday conversation to describe a "gut feeling." The related noun "intuition" is used for that common meaning.
• The term can function informally as a noun (e.g., "He is an intuitionist"), meaning "a person who adheres to intuitionism." This nominal use is derived directly from the adjective.

Adjective

1. of or relating to intuitionism