Dualism is a philosophical concept that posits the existence of two fundamental and distinct substances or realities. In various contexts, dualism can take on different meanings:
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Metaphysical Dualism: This is the idea that there are two kinds of substance that make up reality—typically, the physical (material) and the non-physical (immaterial or spiritual). A well-known proponent of this view is René Descartes, who famously posited a distinction between the mind (non-physical) and the body (physical).
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Dualism in Religion: Many religious traditions incorporate dualistic views, often depicting a struggle between good and evil, such as in Zoroastrianism, which presents a dualistic cosmology involving opposing forces.
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Mind-Body Dualism: This specific form of metaphysical dualism focuses on the relationship between the mind and body. Proponents argue that mental phenomena are not entirely reducible to physical processes, suggesting that the mind and body are fundamentally different in nature.
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Moral Dualism: In ethics, dualism can refer to the belief that there are two opposing moral forces, such as good and evil, often depicted as constant adversaries.
Dualism contrasts with monism, which holds that only one kind of substance or reality exists, and with physicalism/materialism, which asserts that everything that exists is ultimately physical or material in nature.