organicism

[ awr-gan-uh-siz-uh m ]
/ ɔrˈgæn əˌsɪz əm /

noun

Philosophy. the view that some systems resemble organisms in having parts that function in relation to the whole to which they belong. Compare holism(def 1).
Pathology. the doctrine that all symptoms arise from organic disease.
a view of society as an autonomous entity analogous to and following the same developmental pattern as a biological organism.

Origin of organicism

First recorded in 1850–55; organic + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM organicism

or·gan·i·cis·mal, or·gan·i·cis·tic, adjective or·gan·i·cist, noun

Words nearby organicism

organic murmur, organic psychosis, organic solidarity, organic vertigo, organically, organicism, organism, organist, organization, organization chart, organization for economic cooperation and development

British Dictionary definitions for organicism

organicism
/ (ɔːˈɡænɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

the theory that the functioning of living organisms is determined by the working together of all organs as an integrated system
the theory that all symptoms are caused by organic disease
the theory that each organ of the body has its own peculiar constitution

Derived forms of organicism

organicist, noun, adjective organicistic, adjective

Medical definitions for organicism

organicism
[ ôr-găn′ĭ-sĭz′əm ]

n.

The theory that all disease is associated with structural alterations of organs.
The theory that the total organization of an organism, rather than the functioning of individual organs, is the principal or exclusive determinant of every life process.