Dualist

A Dualist is someone who believes in the philosophical doctrine of dualism. Dualism posits that reality consists of two fundamental, irreducible substances or principles. This often takes the form of mind-body dualism, where the mind and body are seen as distinct and separate entities. Other forms involve contrasting fundamental forces like good and evil, matter and spirit, or any other pair of opposing principles deemed essential to understanding existence. A Dualist prioritizes the separation between the two, suggesting that they can exist independently and influence each other.

Dualist meaning with examples

• The philosopher, a staunch Dualist, argued that consciousness could not be solely explained by physical processes in the brain. He insisted that the mind, with its subjective experiences and thoughts, was a separate entity from the body, and therefore the product of something other than matter. His theories created strong debates on the very definition of life.
• As a Dualist, she found comfort in the idea that her spiritual self would endure even after the physical body perished. This belief in the inherent goodness of the soul and its separation from the material world informed her life choices, impacting her relationships and how she dealt with loss and change.
• The artist, a Dualist at heart, consistently explored themes of light and darkness, creating dramatic contrasts in her paintings. This reflected her understanding of the world as composed of conflicting, yet interconnected, forces, highlighting the tension between the seen and the unseen, and the known and unknown.
• The religious scholar, a Dualist in their theology, found the presence of both good and evil to be a foundational aspect of understanding the world. They interpreted scriptures with the understanding that these opposing forces are always working, representing a fundamental struggle within all things and the ultimate fate of humans.