pluralism

[ ploor-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. Philosophy.
   1. a theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle. Compare dualism ( def 2 ), monism ( def 1a ).
   2. a theory that reality consists of two or more independent elements.
2. Ecclesiastical.
   1. the holding by one person of two or more offices at the same time.
   2. plurality ( def 7a ).
3. Sociology. cultural pluralism.
4. state or quality of being plural.

pluralism

/ ˈplʊərəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the holding by a single person of more than one ecclesiastical benefice or office
2. sociol a theory of society as several autonomous but interdependent groups which either share power or continuously compete for power
3. the existence in a society of groups having distinctive ethnic origin, cultural forms, religions, etc
4. a theory that views the power of employers as being balanced by the power of trade unions in industrial relations such that the interests of both sides can be catered for
5. philosophy
   1. the metaphysical doctrine that reality consists of more than two basic types of substance Compare monism dualism
   2. the metaphysical doctrine that reality consists of independent entities rather than one unchanging whole Compare monism absolutism

pluralism

1. A conviction that various religious, ethnic, racial, and political groups should be allowed to thrive in a single society. In metaphysics , pluralism can also mean an alternative to dualism and monism . A pluralist asserts that there are more than two kinds of principles, whereas the dualist maintains there are only two and a monist only one.

Derived Forms

• ˈpluralist, nounadjective
• ˌpluralˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• plu·ral·ist noun adjective
• plu·ral·is·tic [pl, oo, r-, uh, -, lis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pluralism¹

First recorded in 1810–20; plural + -ism

Example Sentences

In this case, it would be preferable for the media to educate us on our rights, and what it’s like to have those rights taken away; on the value of pluralism versus uniformity; what it’s like to be an immigrant, which not a bad thing but a hard thing.

From Salon

Put simply, voters have rewarded Democrats for who they’ve been—the party of pluralism, let’s say—during the Trump era.

From Slate

Lewis told Salon that, as a self-described universalist who believes that all human beings will be restored to a right relationship with God, Christian exhortation need not come at the expense of pluralism.

From Salon

Under Saied's rule, Tunisia has dropped from 53rd place to 82nd on the Economist Intelligence Unit's democracy index, which measures political freedoms and pluralism.

From BBC

There are so many communities of faith that understand their role, not as dominating those around them or imposing their religion on others, but as enshrining pluralism and democracy, and the values that allow all of us to practice our faith, or to have no faith at all.

From Salon

Related Words

• fusion