Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characterized by dualism: Pertaining to the division of something conceptually into two opposed or contrasted aspects, such as good and evil, mind and matter, or the spiritual and the physical.
   • In philosophy, relating to the doctrine of dualism: Specifically concerning the view that the universe or a particular domain is under the dominion of two fundamental, often opposing, principles.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The philosopher's argument was fundamentally dualistic, positing a strict separation between the soul and the body.
  • Many ancient religions had a dualistic worldview, seeing a constant struggle between light and darkness.
  • The debate moved beyond a simple dualistic framework of right versus wrong.

Advanced Usage

• "dualistic thinking": A cognitive approach that tends to perceive issues in terms of binary opposites (e.g., us/them, success/failure) without acknowledging complexity or middle ground.
  • Overcoming dualistic thinking is essential for nuanced political discourse.
• "dualistic ontology": In metaphysics, an ontology that asserts the existence of two fundamentally different kinds of substance or reality.
  • Descartes is famous for his dualistic ontology of thinking substance (res cogitans) and extended substance (res extensa).

Variants and Related Words

• Dualism (n): The doctrine or concept that forms the basis of being dualistic.
  • The conflict between mind and body is a central problem in dualism.
• Dualist (n): A person who believes in or advocates for dualism.
  • As a dualist, she argued that consciousness could not be reduced to physical processes.

Synonyms

• Binary: Consisting of or involving two things or parts.
• Dichotomous: Divided or dividing into two parts or classifications.
• Manichaean (often capitalized): Pertaining to a dualistic religious system or a rigidly dualistic way of thinking.

Related Phrases

• "dualistic nature": The characteristic of having two fundamental, often opposing, qualities.
  • The dualistic nature of the character, both generous and cruel, fascinated the audience.
• "dualistic system": A system organized around two opposing principles or components.
  • The country's political landscape evolved from a dualistic system into a multi-party democracy.

Related Idioms

• "To see things in black and white": This idiom expresses a dualistic perspective, viewing situations as having only two clear-cut alternatives.
  • He tends to see things in black and white, which makes compromise difficult.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of dualism
   • a Manichaean conflict between good and evil