essentialist

Essentialist is a term used to describe a person who adheres to essentialism, the philosophical position that things have essences—intrinsic, defining properties that determine their identity. In its broad sense, essentialism holds that certain categories (such as substances, natural kinds, or social groups) possess a set of essential features that make members of the category what they are. The term has historical roots in ancient philosophy, notably Aristotle, and has influenced debates across metaphysics, biology, and social theory. It is frequently contrasted with anti-essentialist or nominalist viewpoints that deny fixed essences and emphasize variability and context.

In philosophy and related theories, essentialism often posits that categories have underlying, unchanging natures. In biology, essentialism has been used to argue that species share an intrinsic essence. In social theory and gender or race studies, essentialism is used to claim that certain social groups have fundamental, immutable traits. These positions have drawn criticism for overlooking individual variation, historical change, and the role of social construction. In psychology and cognitive science, essentialist biases describe the tendency to view groups as homogeneous with intrinsic properties, rather than as fluid and context-dependent. The term essentialist is sometimes employed pejoratively in debates about identity, science, and politics, where proponents are accused of assuming fixed traits that justify discrimination or oversimplification.

In contemporary discourse, essentialism is discussed in contexts ranging from ontology and science to education and cultural analysis. The term "essentialist" therefore serves as a label for adherents of those views and for critics who challenge the idea of fixed, universal essences.