monism

[ mon-iz-uhm, moh-niz-uhm ]

/ ˈmɒn ɪz əm, ˈmoʊ nɪz əm /

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noun

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.

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Origin of monism

First recorded in 1860–65; from German Monismus; see origin at mon-, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM monism

monist, nounmo·nis·tic

[muh-nis-tik, moh-], /məˈnɪs tɪk, moʊ-/, mo·nis·ti·cal, adjectivemo·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·mon·ist, noun

non·mo·nis·tic, adjectivenon·mo·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverbun·mo·nis·tic, adjective

Words nearby monism

monilia, monilial, moniliasis, moniliform, monish, monism, moniter, monition, monitor, monitorial, Monitor versus Merrimack

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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 James
I 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 James
Even monism concedes that "it is better being good than bad, better being sane than mad."
An Interpretation of Rudolf Eucken's Philosophy|W. Tudor Jones
As realism generally coincides with monism, so idealism is usually identical with dualism.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel

In 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

monism

/ (ˈmɒnɪzəm) /

noun

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 propertiesCompare 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 illusionCompare 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

Derived forms of monism

monist, noun, adjectivemonistic, adjectivemonistically, adverb

Word Origin for monism

C19: from Greek monos single + -ism

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

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).