WORD PARTS.

DUALISM.

1. the state of being dual or consisting of two parts; division into two
2. Philosophy.
    a. the view that there are just two mutually irreducible substances.
    b. the view that substances are either material or mental.
3. Theology.
    a. the doctrine that there are two independent divine beings or eternal principles, one good and the     other evil.
    b. the belief that a human being embodies two parts, as body and soul.


origin:
1794, from Fr. dualisme, in philosophical and theological senses; see dual + -ism.