atomism

Noun (2)

1. (psychology) a theory that reduces all mental phenomena to simple elements (sensations and feelings) that form complex ideas by associationType of scientific theory
2. (chemistry) any theory in which all matter is composed of tiny discrete finite indivisible indestructible particles“the ancient Greek philosophers Democritus and Epicurus held atomic theories of the universe”Synonyms: atomic theoryatomist theoryatomistic theoryType of theory