dualism
Meaning
the division of something conceptually into two opposed or contrasted aspects, or the state of being so divided.
the religious or philosophical doctrine that the universe contains or is a conflict between two opposed principles, such as good and evil.
Structure
Usage
cartesian dualism famously separates the mind from the physical body.
the ancient religion was characterized by a strict dualism between the forces of light and darkness.
her analysis revealed a dualism in the author's work, contrasting idealism with harsh realism.
Etymology
the term 'dualism' is a relatively modern philosophical construction, emerging in english in the late 18th century. it is built directly upon the latin root dualis, meaning 'of two', which itself derives from the proto-indo-European root dwo-, the fundamental source for the concept of 'two' across many languages. the suffix -ism, borrowed from greek via latin, systematically forms nouns denoting distinctive systems of belief or practice. therefore, 'dualism' logically names any doctrine or framework that posits a fundamental, often oppositional, duality—such as mind versus body or good versus evil—as a central organizing principle of reality.
Analysis
dual (from latin dualis, meaning 'of two, containing two'); ism (from greek -ismos, a suffix forming nouns of action, state, or doctrine).