monism
[ mon-iz-uh m, moh-niz-uh m ]
/ ˈmɒn ɪz əm, ˈmoʊ nɪz əm /
noun
Philosophy.
- (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).
- (in epistemology) a theory that the object and datum of cognition are identical.Compare pluralism(def 1b).
the reduction of all processes, structures, concepts, etc., to a single governing principle; the theoretical explanation of everything in terms of one principle.
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.
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British Dictionary definitions for monism
monism
/ (ˈmɒnɪzəm) /
noun
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 (def. 2) See also materialism (def. 2), idealism (def. 3)
philosophy
the doctrine that reality consists of an unchanging whole in which change is mere illusion
Compare pluralism (def. 5)
the epistemological theory that the object and datum of consciousness are identical
the attempt to explain anything in terms of one principle only
Derived forms of monism
monist, noun, adjective monistic, adjective monistically, adverbWord Origin for monism
C19: from Greek
monos single +
-ism
Cultural definitions for monism
monism
[ (moh-niz-uhm, mon-iz-uhm) ]
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).