Formalism is a philosophical concept that emphasizes the importance of form and structure in understanding the world. It is often used to describe the way in which art, literature, and other creative works are structured. Formalism is also used to refer to the practice of following strict rules or conventions in order to achieve a desired outcome. In the context of law, formalism is the adherence to established legal principles and procedures. In the context of religion, formalism is the adherence to established religious practices and rituals. In all contexts, formalism is the practice of adhering to established forms and structures in order to achieve a desired result.