Monism vs. Dualism — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 10, 2023
Monism asserts that all existing entities belong to a single substance or reality; Dualism claims the existence of two fundamental principles, often opposing.
Difference Between Monism and Dualism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Monism and Dualism are philosophical doctrines that address the nature of reality and the relationship between mind and matter. Monism holds the belief that there exists only one underlying substance or reality that makes up everything. It suggests that distinctions we observe are mere superficial or apparent differences. In the realm of philosophy of mind, monism might argue that the mind and the body aren't separate entities, but rather two facets of the same reality.
Conversely, Dualism posits that there are two fundamental, often contrasting, principles or substances. The most common discourse of Dualism is found in the context of the mind-body problem, asserting that the mind (or soul) and the body (or physical matter) are distinct entities. In this perspective, our mental experiences are separate from the tangible world, and both have their own realms of existence.
One can view Monism as seeking unity in perceived diversities, suggesting everything has a shared essence. In contrast, Dualism underscores division, emphasizing that certain entities or principles are inherently distinct and cannot be reduced to a single essence. This duality is not just limited to mind and body but can be extended to other dichotomies like good and evil.
Furthermore, while Monism simplifies the complexity of the world by tracing it back to a single origin, Dualism acknowledges multiplicities. Dualism can sometimes lead to challenges, especially when it comes to causality or interaction between the two principles. For instance, if the mind and body are distinct, how do they interact?
In sum, while both Monism and Dualism grapple with understanding the nature of existence, they offer contrasting viewpoints. Monism leans towards singularity in essence, while Dualism highlights a binary or dual nature of reality.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Belief
One fundamental substance or principle
Two fundamental, often opposing, principles or substances
Common Context
Mind and body as one entity
Mind and body as distinct entities
Nature of Reality
Unified
Dualistic
Examples
Materialism, Pantheism
Mind-body Dualism, Good-Evil Dualism
Philosophical Challenge
Explaining apparent diversities
Explaining interaction between the two entities
Compare with Definitions
Monism
Monism can suggest that the mental and physical are the same.
The philosopher's monistic stance held no division between mind and matter.
Dualism
Dualism can denote a philosophical standpoint or a religious belief.
The ancient religion embraced dualism, marking a clear divide between good and evil.
Monism
Monism often contrasts with dualistic interpretations.
His monism stood in stark contrast to her dualistic beliefs.
Dualism
Dualism often confronts the idea of a unified reality.
While some philosophers endorsed monism, she was a firm advocate of dualism.
Monism
Monism denies the existence of dual or opposing entities.
Through a monistic lens, he viewed the universe as a continuous whole.
Dualism
Dualism posits two distinct and often opposing principles.
His belief in dualism led him to see a divide between mind and body.
Monism
Monism argues for a singular essence in all things.
In his worldview influenced by Monism, he saw all beings as interconnected.
Dualism
Dualism highlights inherent differences rather than similarities.
The debate between monism and dualism centers on whether differences are fundamental or superficial.
Monism
Monism attributes oneness or singleness (Greek: μόνος) to a concept e.g., existence. Various kinds of monism can be distinguished: Priority monism states that all existing things go back to a source that is distinct from them; e.g., in Neoplatonism everything is derived from The One.
Dualism
The condition of being double; duality.
Monism
The view in metaphysics that reality is a unified whole and that all existing things can be ascribed to or described by a single concept or system.
Dualism
(Philosophy) The view that the world consists of or is explicable as two fundamental entities, such as mind and matter.
Monism
The doctrine that mind and matter are formed from, or reducible to, the same ultimate substance or principle of being.
Dualism
(Psychology) The view that mental and physical properties are fundamentally different and that neither can be explained fully in terms of the other.
Monism
The doctrine of the oneness and unity of reality, despite the appearance of diversity in the world.
Dualism
The concept that the world is ruled by the antagonistic forces of good and evil.
Monism
The doctrine that there is a single source of political authority, especially that the church is subordinate to the state or vice versa.
Dualism
The concept that humans have two basic natures, the physical and the spiritual.
Monism
That doctrine which refers all phenomena to a single ultimate constituent or agent; - the opposite of dualism.
Dualism
Duality; the condition of being double.
Monism
See Monogenesis, 1.
Dualism
(philosophy) The view that the world consists of, or is explicable in terms of, two fundamental principles, such as mind and matter or good and evil.
Monism
The doctrine that the universe is an organized unitary being or total self-inclusive structure.
Monism means that the whole of reality, i.e., everything that is, constitutes one inseparable and indivisible entirety. Monism accordingly is a unitary conception of the world. It always bears in mind that our words are abstracts representing parts or features of the One and All, and not separate existences. Not only are matter and mind, soul and body, abstracts, but also such scientific terms as atoms and molecules, and also religious terms such as God and world.
Dualism
(theology) The belief that the world is ruled by a pair of antagonistic forces, such as good and evil; the belief that man has two basic natures, the physical and the spiritual.
Monism
The doctrine that reality consists of a single basic substance or element
Dualism
The theory, originated by Lavoisier and developed by Berzelius, that all definite compounds are binary in their nature, and consist of two distinct constituents, themselves simple or complex, and having opposite chemical or electrical affinities.
Monism
Monism seeks unity in perceived differences.
With monism at his core, he believed all religions pointed to the same truth.
Dualism
State of being dual or twofold; a twofold division; any system which is founded on a double principle, or a twofold distinction
An inevitable dualism bisects nature, so that each thing is a half, and suggests another thing to make it whole.
Dualism
The doctrine that reality consists of two basic opposing elements, often taken to be mind and matter (or mind and body), or good and evil
Dualism
Dualism suggests two interacting realms or substances.
Dualism raises the question of how the spiritual and the physical interact.
Common Curiosities
What does Monism say about the mind and body?
Monism asserts that the mind and body are not distinct but are manifestations of a single substance or reality.
Is Dualism limited only to the mind-body problem?
No, Dualism can apply to any system where there are two fundamental principles, such as good vs. evil.
Are Eastern philosophies more monistic?
Many Eastern philosophies, like Advaita Vedanta, lean towards Monism, but it's an oversimplification to label all Eastern thought as monistic.
Can a person believe in both Monism and Dualism?
Philosophically, they are contrasting viewpoints, but an individual might hold dualistic beliefs in one context and monistic in another.
Is Cartesian Dualism a form of Monism?
No, Cartesian Dualism, posited by Descartes, asserts a clear distinction between the mind and body, making it a form of Dualism.
How does Monism explain apparent differences in the world?
Monism asserts that these differences are superficial or apparent and that everything stems from a singular essence.
How does Dualism handle the interaction between the two principles?
This is a challenge for Dualism, especially in mind-body Dualism. Various theories, like interactionism, propose mechanisms for this interaction.
Can Monism support the idea of an afterlife?
Depending on its type, Monism can support an afterlife concept, especially if it asserts that consciousness isn't strictly tied to the physical body.
Can Monism be seen in scientific perspectives?
Some interpretations of quantum physics hint at a monistic understanding of the universe, but science doesn't strictly adhere to philosophical Monism.
What's an example of a dualistic religion?
Zoroastrianism, with its emphasis on the opposing forces of good and evil, is an example of a dualistic religion.
Is Monism inherently spiritual?
Not necessarily. While some spiritual beliefs align with Monism, there are purely philosophical or even materialistic forms of Monism.
How does Dualism see the relationship between the mind and the brain?
Dualism, particularly substance Dualism, sees the mind and brain as distinct entities, with the brain being physical and the mind non-physical.
Can Dualism exist without opposition between the two principles?
Typically, Dualism involves some form of opposition or contrast, but the two principles needn't always be antagonistic.
Does Monism suggest that everything is made of the same material?
Materialistic Monism does, asserting everything is fundamentally physical. But Monism can also be idealistic (everything is mental) or neutral (everything is some third substance).
Are there more than these two perspectives in philosophy?
Yes, beyond Monism and Dualism, there are pluralistic philosophies and other nuanced viewpoints.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
