Knowra Monism Monism Monism is the view that reality, or the foundation of value, ultimately rests on one basic principle or unified system. Its forms differ over what that unity consists in.
Dualism : Dualism holds that reality contains two fundamentally distinct kinds or principles. It contrasts with monism by making two basic kinds, such as mind and matter, irreducible.
Substance : In metaphysics, substance is an enduring entity that exists independently or bears properties. Substance monists claim that all things ultimately depend on one such fundamental entity.
Physicalism : Physicalism holds that everything is physical or depends entirely on the physical. It is a prominent form of monism that treats physical reality as fundamental.
Presocratic philosophy : Presocratic philosophy comprises early Greek inquiry into nature, change, and the basic constituents of reality. Early searches for a single underlying element anticipate later monist theories.
Consciousness : Consciousness is the presence of subjective experience, including awareness and feeling. Monist theories must explain how subjective experience fits their proposed ultimate unity.
Pluralism : Pluralism holds that reality or value depends on multiple irreducible principles or kinds. It rejects monism’s claim that a single ultimate principle unifies reality or value.
Ontology : Ontology is the philosophical study of what exists and how existing things are organized. Monism is an ontological thesis about the ultimate number or unity of what exists.
Idealism : Idealism holds that mind or experience is fundamental to reality. It offers a monist alternative to physicalism by placing mind, rather than matter, at the base.
Parmenides : Parmenides was an ancient Greek philosopher who argued that being is one, ungenerated, and unchanging. His account is among the earliest influential arguments for reality’s fundamental unity.
Scientific reductionism : Scientific reductionism explains phenomena at one level through entities or laws at a more fundamental level. Monism can motivate unified explanations, but does not guarantee successful scientific reduction.
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