monism

American  

[mon-iz-uhm, moh-niz-uhm] / ˈmɒn ɪz əm, ˈmoʊ nɪz əm /

noun

1. Philosophy.

   1. (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.

   2. (in epistemology) a theory that the object and datum of cognition are identical.

2. the reduction of all processes, structures, concepts, etc., to a single governing principle; the theoretical explanation of everything in terms of one principle.

3. 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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monism British  

/ ˈmɒnɪzəm /

noun

1. 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 See also materialism idealism

2. philosophy the doctrine that reality consists of an unchanging whole in which change is mere illusion Compare pluralism

3. the epistemological theory that the object and datum of consciousness are identical

4. the attempt to explain anything in terms of one principle only

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monism Cultural  

1. 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).

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Other Word Forms

• monist
  noun
• monistic
  adjective
• monistical
  adjective
• monistically
  adverb
• nonmonist
  noun
• nonmonistic
  adjective
• nonmonistically
  adverb
• unmonistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of monism

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

Example Sentences

If only physics would embrace monism, its deepest mysteries would yield to that magic number.

From Scientific American • Jan. 8, 2023

Philosophers who argue for monism often see pluralism as a type of relativism that can prevent people from resolving moral issues when values come into conflict.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

They also ignore Marty Lipset's and Earl Raab's use of the concept of monism in describing the right wing in "The Politics of Unreason."

From Salon • Sep. 26, 2020

Note to the Science Editor of The New York Times: It is also important to examine the ethical implications of the monism which has become something of an untouchable dogma in learned circles.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2015

But more particularly and more frequently we speak of the opposite of monism as being dualism, that is to say, the position that there are two ultimate principles of explanation.

From A Critical History of Greek Philosophy by Stace, W. T. (Walter Terence)