terminalist

Terminalist is a rarely standardized term that can have different informal meanings depending on the context. It is formed from the word terminal, with the suffix -ist, indicating a person who holds a particular view or practice. Because there is no widely accepted definition, the term is mostly found in niche or informal discussions rather than in formal literature.

In philosophy and value theory, a terminalist is sometimes used informally to describe a proponent of terminal values. Terminal values are ends that are pursued for their own sake, as opposed to instrumental values, which are means to other ends. A terminalist in this sense would emphasize these ultimate ends in ethical or political reasoning. However, standard texts typically refer to terminal values rather than refer to adherents as “terminalists,” so the usage is context-dependent and uncommon.

In computing and technology discourse, a terminalist can refer to a person who favors terminal-based, text-only interfaces over graphical user interfaces. This usage appears mainly in informal writing or online communities that discuss preferences for command-line tools, scripting, and minimal graphical environments. It is not an formal role or profession, but rather slang or casual speech among enthusiasts.

See also: terminal value, instrumental value, terminal (in computing), command-line interface, terminal emulator.