monism
Philosophy.
(in metaphysics) any of various theories holding that there is only one basic substance or principle as the ground of reality, or that reality consists of a single element.: Compare dualism (def. 2), pluralism (def. 1a).
(in epistemology) a theory that the object and datum of cognition are identical.: Compare pluralism (def. 1b).
the reduction of all processes, structures, concepts, etc., to a single governing principle; the theoretical explanation of everything in terms of one principle.
the conception that there is one causal factor in history; the notion of a single element as primary determinant of behavior, social action, or institutional relations.
Origin of monism
1Other words from monism
- monist, noun
- mo·nis·tic [muh-nis-tik, moh-], /məˈnɪs tɪk, moʊ-/, mo·nis·ti·cal, adjective
- mo·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- non·mon·ist, noun
- non·mo·nis·tic, adjective
- non·mo·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- un·mo·nis·tic, adjective
Words Nearby monism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use monism in a sentence
I have just been reading your letters again, and beautiful letters they are—also your pregnant little paper on monism.
The Letters of William James, Vol. 1 | William JamesI can understand that of mystical monism shutting its eyes on the concretes of life, for the sake of its abstract rapture.
The Letters of William James, Vol. 1 | William JamesEven monism concedes that "it is better being good than bad, better being sane than mad."
An Interpretation of Rudolf Eucken's Philosophy | W. Tudor JonesAs realism generally coincides with monism, so idealism is usually identical with dualism.
The Wonders of Life | Ernst HaeckelIn my opinion, this antithesis of monism and dualism is the most important in the whole history of philosophy.
The Wonders of Life | Ernst Haeckel
British Dictionary definitions for monism
/ (ˈmɒnɪzəm) /
philosophy the doctrine that the person consists of only a single substance, or that there is no crucial difference between mental and physical events or properties: Compare dualism (def. 2) See also materialism (def. 2), idealism (def. 3)
philosophy the doctrine that reality consists of an unchanging whole in which change is mere illusion: Compare pluralism (def. 5)
the epistemological theory that the object and datum of consciousness are identical
the attempt to explain anything in terms of one principle only
Origin of monism
1Derived forms of monism
- monist, noun, adjective
- monistic, adjective
- monistically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for monism
[ (moh-niz-uhm, mon-iz-uhm) ]
A position in metaphysics that sees only one kind of principle whereas dualism sees two. On the question of whether people's minds are distinct from their bodies, for example, a monist would hold either that mental conditions are essentially physical conditions (materialism), or that bodies depend on minds for their existence (idealism).
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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