monism

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

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. Compare dualism ( def 2 ), pluralism ( def 1a ).
   2. (in epistemology) a theory that the object and datum of cognition are identical. Compare pluralism ( def 1b ).
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.

monism

/ 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

monism

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 ).

Derived Forms

• ˈmonist, nounadjective
• moˈnistically, adverb
• moˈnistic, adjective

Other Words From

• monist noun
• mo·nis·tic [m, uh, -, nis, -tik, moh-], mo·nisti·cal adjective
• mo·nisti·cal·ly adverb
• non·monist noun
• nonmo·nistic adjective
• nonmo·nisti·cal·ly adverb
• unmo·nistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of monism¹

C19: from Greek monos single + -ism

Example Sentences

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

From Scientific American

Both quantum monism and Everett’s many worlds are predictions of quantum mechanics taken seriously.

From Scientific American

Thales and other Ionian philosophers who followed espoused a view of reality now called material monism in which everything is matter and nothing else.

From Scientific American

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

It is generally admitted that he had no accurate knowledge either of Spinoza, whose monism he advocated, or of Kant, whose critical philosophy he so fiercely attacked.

From Project Gutenberg