dualism

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dualism Any theory that identifies an irreducible distinction between two classes of thing. Those of most interest to sociologists are ethical dualism, which states an irreducible difference between statements of fact and value-judgements; explanatory dualism, which holds that while natural events have causes, human actions can only be explained by reference to motives or reasons; the doctrine that mind and matter exist as independent entities; and the idea of the religious and the secular being parallel and independent spheres of life, governed by different laws. See also DESCARTES, RENÉ.

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