While non-dualistic traditions are more prominently associated with Eastern philosophies, elements of non-dualistic thought have also emerged within Western philosophy. Notable examples include:
Neoplatonism:
Developed by Plotinus in the 3rd century CE, Neoplatonism posits that all of reality emanates from a single source, “The One,” transcending all distinctions and dualities.
Spinozism:
17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza proposed that there is only one substance, which he identified as God or Nature, suggesting that mind and matter are merely attributes of this singular reality.
German Idealism:
Philosophers like G.W.F. Hegel explored the idea of an absolute reality where apparent dualities are reconciled within a comprehensive, all-encompassing whole.
Neutral Monism:
Thinkers such as William James and Bertrand Russell advocated for neutral monism, the view that the fundamental nature of reality is neither mental nor physical but a neutral substance that underlies both.
Anne Conway’s Philosophy:
In the 17th century, Anne Conway presented a monistic view rejecting Cartesian dualism, arguing for a single substance imbued with both spiritual and material qualities.
These examples illustrate that, although less prevalent than in Eastern traditions, non-dualistic perspectives have been present and influential within Western philosophical thought.
