Definition of: meliorism

(mēl′yə·riz′əm) noun
1. The improvement of society by bettering man's physical being and environment instead of by ethical or religious means.
2. A modified optimism, teaching that the world is neither the best nor the worst possible, but is susceptible of improvement through the increase of good as man evolves. Compare OPTIMISM and PESSIMISM. [<L melior better]
—mel′io·rist adjective & noun
—mel′io·ris′tic adjective