neutral monism

a position holding that there is a single substance to reality, but that this is neither physical (body) nor mental (mind). It seeks to avoid both idealism and materialism and the philosophical problems that attend them. William James advocated such a position (see radical empiricism), as did British philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872–1970). However, it has been difficult to convey satisfactorily what the nature of such a substance might be. Compare idealistic monism; natural monism. See also mind–body problem.

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Psychology term of the day

October 18th 2024

Fechner’s paradox

the apparent increase in the brightness of a figure caused by closing one eye after viewing the figure with both eyes open. [Gustav Theodor Fechner]