atomicism

Noun

atomicism (uncountable)

1. Atomism.
   • And thus, in this first chapter, have we not only quite disarmed atheism of atomicism, or shewed that the latter, (rightly understood) affordeth no manner of shelter or protection to the former; but also made it manifest, that it is the greatest bulwark and defence against the same; which is a...1822, Ralph Cudworth, “The true Intellectual System of the Universe, wherein all the Reason and Philosophy of Atheism is confuted, and its Impossibility demonstrated, &c.”, in Henry Southern, editor...
   • A consciousness which has got rid of the thought of absolute being would become a prey to endless atomicism and dissolution .1883, Samuel Harris, The Philosophical Basis of Theism, page 287
2. The view that a system as is composed of separable, independent, self-contained units that can be examined and manipulated individually.
   • In the history of knowledge, atomicism has been the moving force behind the vast majority of scientific breakthroughs, especially in physics and mechanics.1982, Environment and Planning: Planning & design. B - Volume 9, page 393
   • But Cassirer may help us to realize that it is not geneticism alone that is being surpassed: a certain "atomicism” —i.e., the isolation of the single parts of a system — is also under general attack.2015, Claudio Guillen, Literature as System: Essays Toward the Theory of Literary History, page 57