Which statement best captures the key difference between monism and dualism?

Which statement best captures the key difference between monism and dualism?

• A. The difference is that monism posits one physical substance, while dualism posits two separate substances.
• B. Monism posits two substances, while dualism posits one.
• C. Monism asserts the mind is nonphysical; dualism asserts the mind is physical.
• D. Monism denies any mind-body interaction.

Answer: (D)

The main distinction is whether mind and body are made of one substance or two. Monism holds that there is only one kind of substance in the universe, so mental states are just forms or aspects of that same substance (as in physicalism, where everything is ultimately physical). Dualism, on the other hand, asserts two fundamentally different kinds of substances: mental and physical. So the clearest way to capture the difference is that monism posits one substance, while dualism posits two. The idea that monism denies any mind–body interaction isn’t the defining contrast; in many monist views, mental phenomena are just brain processes and interact as part of the same substance.

The main distinction is whether mind and body are made of one substance or two. Monism holds that there is only one kind of substance in the universe, so mental states are just forms or aspects of that same substance (as in physicalism, where everything is ultimately physical). Dualism, on the other hand, asserts two fundamentally different kinds of substances: mental and physical. So the clearest way to capture the difference is that monism posits one substance, while dualism posits two. The idea that monism denies any mind–body interaction isn’t the defining contrast; in many monist views, mental phenomena are just brain processes and interact as part of the same substance.