ˈd(y)üəˌlizəm, -u̇ə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French dualisme, from Latin dualis + French -isme -ism
1. : a theory that divides the world or a given realm of phenomena or concepts into two mutually irreducible elements or classes of elements: as
a. : an ontological theory that divides reality into (1) subsistent forms and spatiotemporal objects or into (2) mind and matter
Cartesian dualism
— compare monism , pluralism
b. : an epistemological theory that objective reality is known by means of subjective ideas, representations, images, or sense data — contrasted with monism
2. : the quality or state of being dual : twofold division
all our policies … have been plagued by dualism ; we have too often tried to straddle the fence of expediency — H.W.Baldwin
3.
a. : the doctrine that the universe is under the dominion of two opposing principles one of which is good and the other evil
b. : a view of man as constituted of two original and independent elements (as matter and spirit)
4. : the theory originated by Lavoisier and developed by Berzelius that all definite chemical compounds are binary and consist of two distinct constituents, themselves simple or complex, and possess opposite electrical properties — compare unitary theory
5. : a theory in hematology holding that the blood cells arise from two kinds of stem cells one of which yields lymphatic elements and the other myeloid elements — compare hematopoiesis