What is dualism?

Dualism is a philosophical concept that suggests that there are two fundamental substances or principles in the world that are irreducible and distinct from each other. In the context of philosophy of mind, dualism typically refers to the belief that the mind and body are separate entities, with the mind being non-physical or immaterial and the body being physical. This view contrasts with monism, which posits that there is only one fundamental substance or principle in the world. Dualism has been a prominent idea in various philosophical traditions, including Cartesian dualism, which was proposed by René Descartes in the 17th century.

Dualism is the philosophical view that the world is divided into two fundamental substances: mind and matter. Mind is immaterial and characterized by consciousness, while matter is physical and characterized by extension. Dualism is often contrasted with monism, which holds that there is only one fundamental substance.

There are several different types of dualism. Substance dualism, the most common type, holds that mind and matter are two distinct substances. Property dualism holds that mind and matter are two distinct properties of a single substance. Event dualism holds that mental events and physical events are two distinct types of events.

Dualism has been a major philosophical position since the time of Plato and Aristotle. It was the dominant view in Western philosophy until the rise of modern science in the 17th century. Today, dualism is still defended by some philosophers, but it is not as widely accepted as it once was.