Origin: Greek suffix -ism
Formalism has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented
(philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications
the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.