Schematic overview: unity and diversity

StanceMonismDualismParticipation
SummaryAll is OneI am clearly distinct from everything and everyone elseReality is indivisible but diverse
What it deniesDifferences, boundaries, specifics, individualityConnection, dynamic interplay, unbounded responsibility
What it fixatesUnity; also over-emphasizes connectionBoundaries, separateness, limitations, definitions
The sales pitchYou are GodClarity gives you control
Emotional appealI am all-powerful, all-knowing, immortal, invulnerableI am not contaminated by other beings, and have only specific, limited responsibility for them
Pattern of thinkingWillful stupidityDistrustEngagement
Likely next stancesEternalism, mission, true self, specialnessCan combine with either eternalism or nihilism
AccomplishmentDirectly perceive all things as OnePerfect independenceSelf and other neither distinct nor identical
How it causes sufferingHave to blind self to diversity of physical realityAlienation due to being cut off from world and others
Obstacles to maintaining the stanceObviousness of diversityObviousness of connectionDifficulty of understanding the philosophical view
Antidotes; counter-thoughtsAppreciation of diversityAppreciation of connectedness
Intelligent aspectI am not entirely separate from anythingThe world is endlessly diverse
Positive appropriation after resolutionProvisional understanding of indivisibilityPoints toward appreciation of diversity

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      which is in Doing meaning better.

☞ The next page in this section is Monism and dualism contain each other.

This page’s topics are Dualism, Monism, and Participation.

General explanation: Meaningness is a hypertext book (in progress), plus a “metablog” that comments on it. The book begins with an appetizer. Alternatively, you might like to look at its table of contents, or some other starting points. Classification of pages by topics supplements the book and metablog structures. Terms with dotted underlining (example: meaningness) show a definition if you click on them. Pages marked with ⚒ are still under construction. Copyright ©2010–2020 David Chapman. Some links are part of Amazon Affiliate Program.

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