Skip to main content
energetic monism

energetic monism

9.9
A view that everything is made of energy and all change is energy changing form
  • noun
  • /ˌɛnərˈdʒɛtɪk ˈmoʊnɪzəm/
  • Formal
translation icon : monismo energético
  • The theory of energetic monism suggests that everything is a form of energy.

Examples

  • The philosopher's work was grounded in energetic monism, viewing energy as the essence of all material existence.

  • Wilhelm Ostwald was a leading proponent of energetic monism in the late nineteenth century.

  • Discussions of energetic monism often contrast it with materialistic or dualistic theories of reality.

  • Is energetic monism compatible with traditional dualism?

  • Many contemporary scientists explore the implications of energetic monism in understanding the universe.

  • He dedicated his research to the principles of energetic monism, claiming that all changes in the universe stem from energy transformations.

  • In her lecture, she explained energetic monism as the idea that energy is the core substance behind all phenomena.

Synonyms

dynamism
vsenergetic monism
  • Specialized
1 9.1

The idea that the world is moved by inner forces, not by matter

focuses specifically on energy as the single fundamental substance
energetism
vsenergetic monism
  • Archaic
9.9

A view that all things are forms of energy

has identical meaning but uses a different technical label for the same idea

Surface Forms

Morphology

energetic + monism

The phrase is a straightforward adjectival composition: 'energetic' (relating to energy) modifies 'monism' (belief in a single underlying reality), so the combined meaning — a monist view that energy is the fundamental substance — is directly inferable from the parts. This follows common adjective + -ism logic found cross-linguistically, so learners who know both constituents should be able to derive the intended philosophical sense.

Etymology

Energetic monism combines energetic (about 'energy') and monism (the idea that everything is 'one thing'). Imagine the world as moving, glowing energy instead of many separate objects; that's why energetic monism means the view that all things and changes are just forms of 'energy'.