Monism
noun /ˈmɒnɪzəm/ — The belief that everything is one — that apparent duality resolves to a single underlying reality.
Definition
A theory or doctrine that denies the existence of a distinction between two substances (mind and matter) by reducing them to one; the belief that reality is a unified whole and all existing things can be ascribed to or described by a single concept or system.
Beyond the definition
Monism is the philosophical position that refuses division — everything is one thing, differently expressed. It's the metaphysics of unity. Both materialists (everything is matter) and idealists (everything is mind) are monists, just disagreeing about which one.
Origin & history
From Greek monos — single, alone. The philosophy of the single — the belief in the one underlying thing beneath apparent diversity.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Eastern philosophical traditions often favor monism: the diversity of phenomena as manifestations of one reality.
His monism was not religious but philosophical — he believed in one kind of stuff, and matter was it.
The monist's challenge: explain why things seem so different if they're all the same thing.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Monism” when the meaning fits your context: A theory or doctrine that denies the existence of a distinction between two substances (mind and matter) by reducing them to one; the belief that reality is a unified whole and all existing things can be ascribed to or described by a single concept or system.
Synonyms
unity, holism, oneness
Antonyms
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Ordered Interlocking Structure
An adult arranges complex, wooden pieces into one clear, ordered structure at a bright, evenly lit table.
The effort to create a single, unified structure from diverse pieces reflects monism, the belief that reality is a unified whole. By fitting all parts into one consistent design, the image illustrates how complex existence can be described through a single, logical system.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Monism" mean?
Monism is noun meaning: The belief that everything is one — that apparent duality resolves to a single underlying reality.. A theory or doctrine that denies the existence of a distinction between two substances (mind and matter) by reducing them to one; the belief that reality is a unified whole and all existing things can be ascribed to or described by a single concept or system.
Where does the word "Monism" come from?
From Greek monos — single, alone. The philosophy of the single — the belief in the one underlying thing beneath apparent diversity.