Dualism in philosophy as a concept of the duality of the world

The word "dualism" comes from the Latin "dual". This doctrine, containing the notion that in the world there are two independent principles. Their duality is expressed in bodily (material) and spiritual incarnations. This concept in philosophy has been known since the time of Zarathrusta (628-551 BC), dividing good and evil into two different categories.

In the Greek philosophy of Plato, the concept of the duality of body and soul (the so-called anthropological dualism) presupposes the existence of a cosmological dualism embodied in ideas and matter. Ancient philosophy was influenced by the Iranian, first developed by Zarathustra. She claimed the existence of a world in which good and light deities struggle with evil and gloomy for domination of the universe and the souls of people.

This dualism in the philosophy of antiquity developed with a strong ethical side, transferred to the sphere of spirit and matter, where then (in Gnosticism), matter and body, and, consequently, the world, are associated with the beginnings of evil. On the other hand, the spirit (the soul and its pure "I") becomes a pure and bright beginning. In many religions and philosophical directions, the dualism of man is developed and embodied in the teachings of the soul and body, of God and the devil.

The philosophy of Christianity destroys the "ladder of love and beauty" of Plato, where the perfection of ideas in the Absolute resists the world of similarities created by imperfections. In Christianity, the dualism of man is an incommensurability of principle and duality, expressed in contrasting sins and virtues, which is most pronounced in the writings of Spinoza. Dualism in the philosophy of the East is unacceptable, since its traditions imply mutual understanding and interaction of the soul and body, the presence of "yin" and "yang" in any phenomenon, both material and spiritual.

As a concept, dualism in the philosophy of a later period was developed by Descartes, who is called his bright representative. Descartes was born in France in 1596 on March 31.

The life and upbringing of Descartes from the age of eight was held at the Jesuit school, where he received his initial knowledge, continuing his education in Holland. There he completely embarks on the path of studying mathematics, philosophy, physics, physiology and astronomy. In Holland, his works are published, which have become famous. The greatest popularity comes after the publication of "Discourses on the method." Work on the book and the publication was hampered by the attacks of the Inquisition, as a result of which Descartes changed the name and amended the text.

Around the book immediately there are fierce disputes that do not excite Descartes, it is more the reaction of the Inquisition, since more recently, at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, J. Bruno was burnt, condemned by Galileo, and tongue was torn from the philosopher Vanini, who was also burned. Subsequently, the works of Descartes were recognized in France as heretical and awarded to the burning. Descartes spent most of his life in Holland. At the age of 54, he died of pneumonia, catching a cold in Switzerland, where he was forced to go at the request of the Queen.

The term "dualism" in philosophy appeared together with the works of the German philosopher H. Wolff (1679-1749) and assumed the existence, existence and interaction of the material and spiritual principle both in the world and in man. In the sense of contrasting good and evil, the term was used by T. Hyde in 1700, applying this concept in religious activity. A similar meaning was attached to the concept of dualism by P. Beyle and Leibniz.

Followers and representatives of dualism developed in their studies the notion of the moving matter of Descartes, as well as the notion of the metaphysical nature of mathematics, dialectics and analytic geometry. Philosophical works of Spinoza, Kant, Rickert in modern philosophy - Rorty and many other philosophers are based on the conclusions and postulates of the Cartesian philosophy of dualism.