Monism vs. Dualism/Pluralism

Introduction

Pluralism and monism are the two most debated worldviews in many aspects of life and relations, including politics, teaching, learning, and international relations. The greatest debate existing between monism and Pluralism is how many things are in existence. The doctrines try to answer how many things and how many types of things are in existence. The doctrine of monism is mainly based on the earth existing as one. Under monism, common objects of the ordinary do not exist since there is only one, the earth. Opposing monism doctrine, Pluralism suggests that things exist in large numbers or many different kinds (Kirchmair, 2016). Even though Pluralism doctrine might seem weaker under the notion that there are many components in existence, it is consistent with monism, indicating that the different kinds of components all exist under one major thing, the earth. Monism extensively argues that materialism implies that everything that exists is material; thus, all things in existence are similar to the material kind. Understanding what monism doctrine champions that many things exist as materials do not exclude Pluralism, which implies many things exist. The two doctrines heavily impact many people globally.  The major discipline affected is the teaching industry, where tutors function under either of the doctrines. This essay seeks to establish the contrasting factors between monism and Pluralism and how it affects the teaching discipline. The doctrine used by teacher greatly impact the leaner in the sense that their views and understanding changes.

Monism

Many materialistic things are in existence, but they all exist under one major component, material. Monism includes various metaphysics cluster of views insisting on reality unity and oneness in a similar sense (Cornell, 2016). It is characterized by things unity's insistence on quality where things are undifferentiable, in the time since things have to change freedom, and in space where things are inseparable. Monism philosophers such as Thomas Davidson argue that if the universe is viewed from a perspective that it is an interlocking parts single sealed system, no plurality is genuine since there are no alternative opportunities. Monism term was first on a limited basis by a philosopher in applying two opposing doctrines, materialism indicating everything exists as a material and idealism suggesting that everything originates from a mentality. Many philosophers, including monism major proponents G. W. F Hegel and Friedrich Schelling, have developed many theories in the quest of creating a better understanding of what monism is and what it entails.  Monism ambiguity is less harmful given that the two theories, including attributive monism, trying to establish how many kinds of things are in existence, should be differentiated from Substantive monism, questing to establish how many things exist.  Attributive and Substantival monism reviews are logically independent where the possible various attitude combinations to the arising questions are found in the major philosopher's doctrines. It means if Substantival monism theory is a substance's apparent multiplicity, it manifests a single thing from points of view that are different or in a different state, then Francis Hebert, under his Absolute and Spinoza in God or Nature, they are monists that are substantively typical. As seen from various theories developed by monist philosophers, it indicates that they are all of a similar kind, being souls. The belief indicates that even though there are more realms than one of being, only a single thing exists within a particular realm can be referred to as partial monism. As some philosophers divided the globe into matter and mind realms, it provides various evidence on the matter and matter being partial monism while others only agreed with one of the two being monism. The components of monism keep changing in various philosophical systems based on the views of a particular philosopher. Monism strives to unite the many components are encompassed under one major component, in this case, the earth. Most minds find the monism worldview attractive provided the limitations to its holding are eliminated. 

Dualism/ Pluralism

Comparatively, the dualism worldview is based on the fact that many components exist and, in many kinds, go completely against monism. The ideology suggests that things exist in plurals. Dualism thinkers find fundamental and radical world difference, a gulf that is insuperable between two being realms (Kirchmair, 2016). Dualism can be referred to as philosophical systems dividing the earth into two types of things or categories or uses two ultimate explanation principles. The doctrine must also insist on two things or kinds of substances that make up the world. When superficially dualism is viewed as a special pluralism case, it is an expression of monism that has failed. Rejection of monism means a philosophical system that doesn't view the world as one but a world with many kinds of things. However, dualism is puzzle generating and unstable, which does not mean that more minds are attracted to monism. Once the world is divided into two components, such as metal and material, supernatural and natural, universal and particular or eternal and temporal, a problem is how the two worldviews relate, resulting from the division relations.  The problem has existed both in modern and ancient philosophy since even in mind, and body dualism reflects a common-sense view that is time-honored.  There are opposing thinkers in the dualism worldviews, creating an attraction between thinkers. However, the philosophers reduced the sets to unlimited and limited fundamental principles probably forced by the thinkers’ discoveries mathematically to gain a difference, thus blocking monism. The uncertain nature of the relations between the two world divisions leads to philosophers not adopting dualism to create their world picture as an ideal option. As Efstratios indicates, more influence in the discovery of dualism doctrine is theology, where Manichaeism doctrine with two principles such as light and darkness or evil and good exists.  However, Pluralism opens up space where the two or more divisions relate, leading to a better outcome of painting a world picture. Body and mind are two components of a being where, even though they exist interpedently, portray a dualism worldview picture where a being is divided into two components.  

Application in Teaching Practice

Monism ideology would impact teaching and education at large where the teacher can create an all-inclusive pedagogy that advocates for a unified front in the learning process leading to better delivery can be achieved (Cameron-Lewis, 2016). A teacher with a dualistic worldview compared to monism will teach concerning the components that make up a learning institution. This might lead to a teacher judging students based on their ethnicity, social class, and academic performance. Even though dualism would help a tutor interact and deal with different traits of learners, some of its aspects of the relation between the divided parts of the school would lead to failure. On the other hand, monism champions unity under the notion that the world exists as one with many components making it up. A learning institution has a similar setting as that of the monism doctrine since it has many components that make it up (CVETANOVIŠ, 2015). The components include students, infrastructure, teachers, and workers, which, when effectively used, will ensure the best outcome for a student. A Teacher will view all students as equals who make up a class, thus delivering effectively. The students will be treated equally by a teacher regardless of their ethnicity while trying to help students improve academically as the worldview advocates for the unity of the different components making up the world.  

Conclusion

Monist thinkers have straightforward ways of expressing how the earth appears, as they suggest. From the arguments of different monism philosophers, it would not be right to object to this worldview solely based on that earth contains many divisions. Therefore, it’s only right to say that monism is a metaphysical ideology that is both respectable and serious with a historical pedigree that is rich. However, dualism or Pluralism objects to the monism doctrine by suggesting that the world is built up of basic components exceeding one. The world has many things or different kinds of things that are independent. A debate arises on the uncertainty of how the divided components of the world relate to each other. Despite dualism advocating for diversity, the value of unity is highly valued in the society giving monism a better preference. Dualism helps teachers make teaching all-inclusive pedagogies where each component of a school is handled separately. However, it leads to a teaching technique that advocates for division or discrimination of students based on their social and demographical backgrounds. As monism advocates for the unity of the different components making the world, it will ensure effective delivery when used in teaching. Teachers will make teaching pedagogies that are unified, creating an interdependency between various learning processes.

References

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