Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

extensionalism

noun

/ɪkˈstɛnʃənəlɪzəm/

Definition

A philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of external factors and reasons in understanding concepts and meanings, particularly in relation to reference and denotation.

Examples

In extensionalism, the focus lies on what entities a term refers to rather than its internal structure.
Philosophers often debate the merits of extensionalism compared to intensional approaches.
The extensionalist perspective can be particularly useful in fields like linguistics and logic.

Meaning

Extensionalism suggests that the meaning of words and expressions is rooted in the objects and entities they refer to, rather than in the intrinsic characteristics of the expressions themselves.