pluralism

American  

[ploor-uh-liz-uhm] / ˈplʊər əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. Philosophy.

   1. a theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle.

   2. a theory that reality consists of two or more independent elements.

2. Ecclesiastical.

   1. the holding by one person of two or more offices at the same time.

   2. plurality.

3. Sociology.  cultural pluralism.

4. state or quality of being plural.

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pluralism British  

/ ˈplʊərəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the holding by a single person of more than one ecclesiastical benefice or office

2. sociol a theory of society as several autonomous but interdependent groups which either share power or continuously compete for power

3. the existence in a society of groups having distinctive ethnic origin, cultural forms, religions, etc

4. a theory that views the power of employers as being balanced by the power of trade unions in industrial relations such that the interests of both sides can be catered for

5. philosophy

   1. the metaphysical doctrine that reality consists of more than two basic types of substance Compare monism dualism

   2. the metaphysical doctrine that reality consists of independent entities rather than one unchanging whole Compare monism absolutism

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pluralism Cultural  

1. A conviction that various religious, ethnic, racial, and political groups should be allowed to thrive in a single society. In metaphysics, pluralism can also mean an alternative to dualism and monism. A pluralist asserts that there are more than two kinds of principles, whereas the dualist maintains there are only two and a monist only one.

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Other Word Forms

• pluralist noun
• pluralistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pluralism

First recorded in 1810–20; plural + -ism

Example Sentences

"Staff cuts in newsrooms and cuts to journalists' salaries... have had a huge impact on pluralism and citizens' right to be informed," the federation said.

From Barron's

Bahrain has established a reputation in the Gulf region for being open to religious tolerance and pluralism.

From BBC

The strength of civil society is in its close-to-the-ground pluralism, in its fine solidarity between the public and the private, where big meets little and the individual meets the many.

From Los Angeles Times

Whereas words such as privilege and social justice had high negatives, and the word pluralism is unfamiliar to many, “belonging” evoked positive feelings on par with “unity” and “liberty.”

From Washington Post

Through his policies, speech, and other actions, DeSantis has proven himself to be a neofascist and an authoritarian who treats real democracy and pluralism with contempt.

From Salon

Related Words

• fusion