People who believe that reality consists of two fundamental, independent substances or principles, like mind and body.
From dualism + -ist (one who practices or believes). Dualism emerged as a philosophical term in the 17th century with Descartes, who famously divided existence into thinking substance (mind) and extended substance (matter).
Descartes was history's most famous dualist, and his mind-body split shaped 400 years of science and medicine, yet neuroscience keeps discovering that thoughts and bodies are far more entangled than he imagined.
Historically, self-identified dualists were predominantly male philosophers; feminist critiques of dualism came later and from outside the male-dominated philosophical canon.
When discussing dualists, name both defenders and critics. Avoid treating dualism as the default philosophical position.
Contemporary women philosophers (Haraway, Barad, Stengers) have developed sophisticated critiques of dualism that recenter relationality and agency.
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