MONISM By: Nadia R. Angelita U. Jamila B. Katalina

Definition: A metaphysical theory that says that reality consists of one all-encompassing thing and that all particular things are expressions of this one thing Source: Source: Philosophy: Questions & Theories

Monism The term monism was introduced in the 18 th century by philosopher Christian von Wolff in this work, Logic (1728). Monism is a philosophical worldview in which all of reality can be reduced to one “thing” or “substance.” This view is opposite of dualism, which states that all of reality is reducible to two substances, for example, good and evil, light and darkness, body and soul, etc. Monists believe that existence is purely based upon one ultimate "category of being." This means that either the person is made up of only the body or only the mind. One type of monism is materialism, which states, "All that exists is matter, configured into material objects." In other words, materialists believe everything that exists is just physical. Materialists believe that existence is only based on the body. This leads to the materialists assumption that people do not exist with their mind, soul, or spirit.

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Baruch Spinoza PHILOSOPHERS: Baruch Spinoza Baruch Spinoza Born: November 24, 1632 Died: February 21, 1677 Era: 17 th Century Nationality: Jewish-Dutch Spinoza was a 17 th - century Jewish-Dutch philosopher who agreed with Monism. In his most famous work, Ethics, he states his arguments about his philosophical views. Spinoza disagrees with dualism, the opposite view of monism, and instead considers God to be identical with ‘nature’ and that God is the single substance. He essentially denies that human beings have free will, explaining this illusion as a result of our limited understanding of our own actions. Thus, Spinoza believes that everything is only made of one thing, which is the ultimate belief of monists.

Works Cited What is monism? (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2014, from Chap2 Pt.2 Desire For Science. (2011, February 1). Retrieved November 10, 2014, from Baruch Spinoza. (2002, January 1). Retrieved November 9, 2014, from Flaherty, P., Horton, M., Jopling, D., Miller, H., Tittle, P., & Yan, P. (2003). Philosophy: Questions & Theories. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.