anancasm

plural anancasms

1. countableobsoleteuncountableObsessive-compulsive behaviour.

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   In general, there have been three methods of approach to the treatment of anancasms: (1) analysis of the symptoms to discover their meaning to the patient, (2) study of the personality, particularly of the fundamental insecurities, fears, dissatisfactions, dependencies and hostilities, (3) regulation of the daily regime with direct attempts to control the anancasms.

   1941, George Blumer, The Therapeutics of Internal Diseases, volume 5, page 144

2. countableuncountablehuman sciencesIn the philosophy of Charles Peirce, a mode of evolution occurring by mechanical necessity.

   Far from being exclusive of one another, tychasm, anancasm, and agapasm share the same general elements; that said, these elements emerge most clearly in agapastic evolution.

   2005, Susan Petrilli, Semiotics Unbounded: Interpretive Routes through the Open Network of Signs

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   If the development of ideas under the influence of the study of external facts be considered as external anancasm, — it is on the border between the external and the internal forms, — it is, of course, the principal thing in modern learning.

   1923, Charles Sanders Peirce, Chance, Love and Logic: Philosophical Essays, page 294

   Anancasm is one of three modes of evolution identified by Charles Peirce, who distinguished anancasm, or evolution by mechanical necessity, from evolution by fortuitous variation (tychasm) and evolution by creative love (agapasm).

   2008, John Laches, American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia, page 42