dualism

noun

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du·al·ism | \ ˈdü-ə-ˌli-zəm

also ˈdyü- \

Definition of dualism

1 : a theory that considers reality to consist of two irreducible elements or modes

2 : the quality or state of being dual or of having a dual nature

3a : a doctrine that the universe is under the dominion of two opposing principles one of which is good and the other evil

b : a view of human beings as constituted of two irreducible elements (such as matter and spirit)

Other Words from dualism Example Sentences Learn More about dualism

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Other Words from dualism

dualist \ ˈdü-ə-list

, ˈdyü- \ noun

dualistic \ ˌdü-ə-ˈli-stik

, ˌdyü- \ adjective

dualistically \ ˌdü-ə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē

, ˌdyü- \ adverb

Examples of dualism in a Sentence

the dualism of human nature the dualism of good and evil

Recent Examples on the Web In answering the question, Baggini explored the history of mind-body dualism: the idea, inherited from Plato and Descartes and Mill and many others, that the human body can be meaningfully distinguished from the human mind. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, "How America Got Comfortable With Comfort TV," 27 Dec. 2020 No psionic fields, no morphic resonances, no élan vital, no dualism. — New York Times, "The Lasting Lessons of John Conway’s Game of Life," 23 Dec. 2020 The dualism of Francis Bacon and Descartes held reason to be distinct from and superior to matter. — Alexander Zaitchik, The New Republic, "The Urgent Case for Shrinking the Economy," 28 Dec. 2020 Mind-body dualism is one of philosophy's oldest questions, boosted this time by science. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Controversial New Theory Says Human Consciousness Is ... Electromagnetic?," 27 Oct. 2020 The idea of a scientific lampshade on mind-body dualism certainly isn’t new, but McFadden’s research, published in the journal Neuroscience of Consciousness, is the latest to try to marry the fields. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Controversial New Theory Says Human Consciousness Is ... Electromagnetic?," 27 Oct. 2020 Another dualism: The film is told from both Andy’s point of view and Red’s. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "America’s Favorite Movie," 4 Apr. 2020 There is dualism, or symmetry, all over Shawshank, but this is just another way of saying the film is beautifully balanced, respectful of classic storytelling conventions. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "America’s Favorite Movie," 4 Apr. 2020 The belief that online and offline spaces are separate realms has even earned its own derogatory name, digital dualism. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "It Doesn’t Matter If Anyone Exists or Not," 24 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dualism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near dualism

dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

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Last Updated

18 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Dualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dualism. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for dualism

dualism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dualism

philosophy : the idea or belief that everything has two opposite parts or principles

formal : the quality or state of having two different or opposite parts or elements

See the full definition for dualism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dualism

noun

du·al·ism | \ ˈd(y)ü-ə-ˌliz-əm

Medical Definition of dualism

1 : a theory that considers reality to consist of two irreducible elements or modes (as mind and matter)

2 : a theory in hematology holding that the blood cells arise from two kinds of stem cells one of which yields lymphatic elements and the other myeloid elements

Other Words from dualism

dualist \ -ə-ləst

\ noun

dualistic \ ˌd(y)ü-ə-ˈlis-tik

\ adjective

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