dualism

[ doo-uh-liz-uhm, dyoo- ]

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.

dualism

/ ˈdjuːəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the state of being twofold or double
2. See monism
   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

dualism

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• ˌdualˈistically, adverb
• ˌdualˈistic, adjective
• ˈdualist, noun

Other Words From

• dual·ist noun adjective
• non·dual·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dualism¹

First recorded in 1785–95; dual + -ism

Example Sentences

Dualism is a philosophical view that draws a distinction between the mind and the body.

From Singularity Hub 

Even though consciousness is generated by the brain—a part of the body—dualism claims that the mind is distinct from our physical features, and that consciousness cannot be understood through the study of the physical brain alone.

From Singularity Hub 

I also have a quibble with the book’s weird appendix that is part the standard ethnographer’s explanation of research methods and part a philosophical discourse on “mind-body dualism” that reads like it’s from a different, less compelling book.

From Washington Post

That breakdown of dualism, that honesty, is so important and revelatory.

From The Daily Beast

I felt like it nicely represented the dualism of her character.

From The Daily Beast

Its peculiar feature was dualism,--two original uncreated principles; one good, the other evil.

From Project Gutenberg

The vast amount of evidence in the taboos of many peoples of dualism in the attitude toward woman.

From Project Gutenberg

The dualism is not primarily as to the stuff of the world, but as to causal laws.

From Project Gutenberg

To return to Bahya's arguments in favor of the unity of God, we proceed to show that dualism would lead to absurd conclusions.

From Project Gutenberg

The one is anthropological dualism, regarding the soul as a distinct entity which comes to the body from without.

From Project Gutenberg