dualism

[doo-uh-liz-uh m, dyoo-] /ˈdu əˌlɪz əm, ˈdyu-/
noun
1.
the state of being dual or consisting of two parts; division into two.
2.
Philosophy.
  1. the view that there are just two mutually irreducible substances.
    Compare monism, pluralism.
  2. the view that substances are either material or mental.
3.
Theology.
  1. the doctrine that there are two independent divine beings or eternal principles, one good and the other evil.
  2. the belief that a human being embodies two parts, as body and soul.
Origin
1785-95; dual + -ism
Related forms
dualist, noun, adjective
nondualism, noun
Examples from the web for dualism
  • Thus again strictly limiting any epiphenomenal dualism allowed in this metaphysic.
  • One cannot account for her core of obvious integrity, nor for the dualism within her which pulls her two different ways.
  • Maybe this process can explain the dualism of particle.
  • Only a believer in dualism or an immaterial soul would expect anything else.
  • It supposes dualism and not unity in nature and consciousness.
  • They are, for example, at the heart of the question of dualism.
  • Radical dualism or absolute dualism which posits two coequal divine forces.
  • Mitigated dualism where one of the two principles is in some way inferior to the other.
British Dictionary definitions for dualism

dualism

/ˈdjuːəˌlɪzəm/
noun
1.
the state of being twofold or double
2.
(philosophy) the doctrine, as opposed to idealism and materialism, that reality consists of two basic types of substance usually taken to be mind and matter or two basic types of entity, mental and physical Compare monism
3.
  1. the theory that the universe has been ruled from its origins by two conflicting powers, one good and one evil, both existing as equally ultimate first causes
  2. the theory that there are two personalities, one human and one divine, in Christ
Derived Forms
dualist, noun
dualistic, adjective
dualistically, adverb
Word Origin and History for dualism
n.

1755 as a term in philosophy, from French dualisme (1754); also used in theological senses; see dual + -ism.

dualism in Medicine

dualism du·al·ism (dōō'ə-lĭz'əm, dyōō'-)
n.

  1. The theory that blood cells have two origins, from the lymphatic system and from the bone marrow.

  2. The view in psychology that the mind and body function separately, without interchange.

dualism in Culture

dualism definition


In philosophy and theology, any system that explains phenomena by two opposing principles. Many philosophers hold to a dualism of mind and matter, or mind and body. For many theologians, the two principles are those of good and evil.