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Definition:
The philosophy of monism argues that there exists one and just one substance at the
base of all of existence. Everything which appears to exist is simply a different manifestation
of this fundamental "stuff."
Hegel and Spinoza are important philosophers who have advocated monist ideas. Monism is normally constrasted with dualism and pluralism, which are doctrines about the existence of multiple fundamental substances. Forms of monism include materialism (everything is matter), idealism (everything is mind), and neutral monism (everything is composed of some other fundamental "stuff" which is neither mind nor matter).
Also Known As: none
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Related Resources:
What is Metaphysics?
In Western philosophy, metaphysics has become the study of the fundamental nature of all reality - what is it, why is it, and how are we to understand it. Some only regard metaphysics as the study of "higher" reality or the "invisible" nature behind everything, but that isn't actually true. It is, instead, the study of all of reality, visible and invisible.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
