SKIP TO CONTENT

dualism

/ˌduəˈlɪzəm/
IPA guide

Other forms: dualisms

If you see the world as split into two distinct parts, you're a proponent of dualism. The philosophy that your mind and body are two completely separate, independent aspects of you is one particular type of dualism.

There are many theories that go by the name of dualism, but the idea that minds and bodies are separate is probably the most common. Another type of dualism splits the world into a person and the world outside that person, with a barrier between the two. In fact, any time you divide things into two categories — hot and cold, good and evil, male and female — that's also a kind of dualism. The Latin root is duo, "two."

Definitions of dualism
  1. noun
    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
    see moresee less
    type of:
    doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought
    a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘dualism'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family