neo-Darwinism Theory of evolution that represents a synthesis of Charles Darwin’s theory in terms of natural selection and modern popu¬ lation genetics. The term was first used after 1896 to describe the theo¬ ries of August Weismann (1834-1914), who asserted that his germ-plasm theory made impossible the inheritance of acquired characteristics and supported natural selection as the only major process that would account for biological evolution.
Neo-Expressionism Art movement, chiefly of painters, that domi¬ nated the European and American art market in the early to mid-1980s. It was controversial both in the quality of its production and in the highly commercialized aspects of its presentation. Its practitioners, including Julian Schnabel and Anselm Kiefer, reacted to the highly intellectualized abstract art of the 1970s by creating dramatic, gestural paintings that incorporated some figurative elements and recognizable symbols. Their art was characterized by a tense yet playful presentation of objects in a “primitivist” manner, vivid colour harmonies, large scale, and a sense of inner tension and alienation. See also Expressionism.
Neo-Impressionism Movement in French painting of the late 19th century, in reaction against the realism of Impressionism. The Neo- Impressionists, led by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, applied paint to canvas in dots of contrasting pigments, scientifically chosen so that adja¬ cent dots would blend from a distance into a single colour. The technique is known as pointillism. Whereas the Impressionists captured the fugitive effects of colour and light, the Neo-Impressionists crystallized them into immobile monumentality.
Neo-Kantianism Revival of Kantianism in German universities that began c. 1860. At first primarily an epistemological movement, Neo- Kantianism slowly extended over the whole domain of philosophy. The first decisive impetus toward reviving Immanuel Kant’s ideas came from natural scientists. Hermann von Helmholtz applied physiological studies of the senses to the question of the epistemological significance of spatial perception raised by The Critique of Pure Reason (1781). Neo-Kantianism reached its apex in the early 20th-century Marburg school, which included Hermann Cohen (1842-1918) and Paul Natorp (1854-1924). They repu¬ diated Helmholtz’s naturalism and reaffirmed the importance of the tran¬ scendental method. Ernst Cassirer, another Marburg-school figure, brought Kantian principles to bear on the whole realm of cultural phenomena. Wilhelm Windelband (1848-1915) and Heinrich Rickert (1863-1936) introduced Kantianism into the philosophy of history. Neo-Kantianism also influenced the phenomenology of Edmund Husserl and of the early works of Martin Heidegger.
Neo-Paganism Any of several movements that attempt to revive the polytheistic religions of Europe and the Middle East. Largely a product
of the 1960s, contemporary Neo-Paganism has flourished particularly in the U.S., Britain, and Scandinavia. Its adherents often have deep ecologi¬ cal concerns and an attachment to nature; many worship an earth-mother goddess and center their rituals on the change of the seasons. Since the late 1970s, Neo-Paganism has also attracted feminists open to female per¬ sonifications of the deity. Major Neo-Pagan groups include the Church of All Worlds, Feraferia, Pagan Way, the Reformed Druids of North America, the Church of the Eternal Source, and the Viking Brotherhood. See also Wicca.
Neo-Thomism X.ne-o-'ta-.mi-zonA Modern revival of the philosophi¬ cal and theological system developed by St. Thomas Aquinas and his later commentators. Neo-Thomism follows Aquinas in distinguishing between the realms of nature (in which reason and philosophy hold sway) and supemature (in which faith and theology are dominant). Aquinas’s thought was presented in philosophy and theology courses or manuals, especially in the Dominican Order, through the 17th and 18th centuries, though most manuals of this period were watered with the opinions of other Schoolmen and remained remote from modern concerns. The mod¬ ern revival of authentic Thomism began in the 19th century under the influence of the Jesuits and the papacy, who sought a sound philosophi¬ cal foundation on which to develop responses to contemporary intellec¬ tual and social problems. After the mid-20th century neo-Thomists attempted to develop an adequate philosophy of science, to take into account the findings of phenomenology and psychiatry, and to evaluate the ontologies of existentialism and naturalism. See also Jacques AAaritain.
Neoclassical architecture Revival of Classical architecture during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The movement concerned itself with the logic of entire Classical volumes, unlike Classical revivalism (see Greek Revival), which tended to reuse Classical parts. Neoclassical archi¬ tecture is characterized by grandeur of scale; simplicity of geometric forms; Greek, especially Doric (see order), or Roman detail; dramatic use of columns; and a preference for blank walls. The new taste for antique simplicity represented a general reaction to the excesses of the Rococo style. Neoclassicism thrived in the U.S. and Europe, with examples occur¬ ring in almost every major city. Russia’s Catherine II transformed St. Petersburg into an unparalleled collection of Neoclassical buildings as advanced as any contemporary French and English work. By 1800 nearly all new British architecture reflected the Neoclassical spirit (see Robert Adam; John Soane). France’s boldest innovator was Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, who had a central role in the evolution of Neoclassical architec¬ ture. In the U.S. Neoclassicism continued to flourish throughout the 19th century, as many architects looked to make the analogy between the young country and imperial Rome when designing major government buildings. The style also spread to colonial Latin America.
Neoclassicism See Classicism and Neoclassicism
neoconservatism U.S. political movement. It originated in the 1960s among conservatives and some liberals who were repelled by or disillu¬ sioned with what they viewed as the political and cultural trends of the time, including leftist political radicalism, lack of respect for authority and tradition, and hedonistic and immoral lifestyles. Neoconservatives generally advocate a free-market economy with minimum taxation and government economic regulation; strict limits on government-provided social-welfare programs; and a strong military supported by large defense budgets. Neoconservatives also believe that government policy should respect the importance of traditional institutions such as religion and the family. Unlike most conservatives of earlier generations, neoconserva¬ tives maintain that the United States should take an active role in world affairs, though they are generally suspicious of international institutions, such as the United Nations and the World Court, whose authority could intrude upon American sovereignty or limit the country’s freedom to act in its own interests. See also conservatism.
neodymium Metallic chemical element, chemical symbol Nd, atomic number 60. Silvery white in colour, it is a rare earth metal and one of the lanthanide series. It is a component of important alloys, among them misch metal (15% neodymium), used in lighter flints and various metallurgical processes. Alloyed with iron and boron, neodymium is the basis for pow¬ erful permanent magnets used in computer hard drives, lightweight ear¬ phones, and numerous other applications. Neodymium compounds are employed as ceramics glazes. The crude oxide counteracts the greenish cast imparted to glass by iron contaminants, and a very pure oxide is used to make a vivid purple glass. Neodymium is added to glass or other host
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materials to form the active elements for certain solid-state lasers. Glass containing a mixture of neodymium and praseodymium (another rare earth element) is used in glassblowers’ goggles.