1. eclectics so-called philosophers who attach themselves to no system, but select what, in their judgment, is true out of others. In antiquity the Eclecticphilosophy is that which sought to unite into a coherent whole the doctrines of Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle, such as that of Plotinus and Proclus was. There is an eclecticism in art as well as philosophy, and the term is applied to an Italianschool which aimed at uniting the excellencies of individualgreatmasters.