What does monistic mean?
Monistic is an adjective meaning that reality is fundamentally one in substance, source, or underlying principle. It is most often associated with metaphysical and philosophical accounts that seek to explain the apparent diversity of the world through a single reality. A monistic doctrine might identify matter, mind, spirit, or some other principle as the ultimate basis of existence. The term is specialized and formal, so it is more likely to appear in philosophical discussion than in everyday speech. Its principal contrast is with pluralistic views, which maintain that reality contains genuinely distinct substances or principles; it may also be opposed to dualistic accounts. Monistic should not be confused with monism, the noun naming the doctrine, or monist, the noun denoting someone who holds that doctrine. Although the word can describe a wide range of philosophical positions, it generally implies unity at a fundamental level rather than merely the practical integration of different things.
adjectiveOf or relating to monism, the philosophical doctrine that reality consists of a single fundamental substance or principle.
- Of or relating to monism, or characterized by the belief that reality consists of one fundamental substance or principle.
"The philosopher developed a monistic account of reality in which mind and matter were two aspects of one substance."
"Her monistic interpretation of the doctrine treats being and consciousness as aspects of a single reality."
"Critics argued that the proposed monistic explanation overlooked the distinct nature of mental and physical phenomena."
Monistic thinkers see a single substance behind reality; the opposite claim, that reality has multiple independent principles, is known as pluralism.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monistic come from?
Monistic was formed in English from monism and the adjectival suffix -istic. Monism belongs to early nineteenth-century philosophical vocabulary and combines Greek monos, meaning “single” or “alone,” with the suffix -ism. The same Greek root appears in related English words such as monopoly and monolith, while monist names an adherent of the monistic doctrine.
Related word forms
How monistic is actually used
Formal and specialized, chiefly used in philosophy, theology, and metaphysics. It normally describes a doctrine, theory, or view rather than an ordinary object or physical situation.
Easily confused with monistic
Monism is the philosophical doctrine itself, whereas monistic is the adjective describing that doctrine or its adherents' views.
A monist is a person who believes in monism, while monistic is an adjective relating to the belief rather than to the person.