Dualism and Monism

Dualism and monism are two philosophical perspectives on the relationship between mind and body. Dualism posits that mind and body are distinct substances; the mind is non-physical, leading to questions about how they interact (psychophysical laws). This view often aligns with religious experiences suggesting a spiritual essence. Monism, on the other hand, asserts that only one substance exists—either everything is physical (materialism) or everything is mental (idealism). This perspective addresses epistemology by suggesting that understanding comes from a unified reality, influencing perceptions of self and existence without separating mind from body.