Approfondimento: Pluralism

Pluralism is a theory or system of thought that recognizes more than one (MONISM) and generally more than two (DUALISM) ultimate principles. The elements in metaphysical pluralisms are quite varied: from the earth, air, fire, and water of EMPEDOCLES, and the mercury, sulfur, and salt of PARACELSUS; the Chinese water, fire, wood, metal, soil, and Yin and Yang; to the mind, matter, and God of William JAMES. Epistemological pluralism, presented in William James's PRAGMATISM, maintains that there is no single meaning or truth; meaning varies as the consequences vary for the individual, and truth is the expedient way of thinking. Attributive monisms, such as Gottfried Wilhelm von LEIBNIZ's monodology, have also been considered pluralisms because they talk of many elements of the same type.

In political theory pluralism is a concept that describes the heterogeneity of groups that share power in public policymaking. The theory of democratic pluralism asserts that the public interest emerges from the democratic competition of diverse and changing elite groups, none of which are able to become dominant.

Donald Gotterbarn

(da: Grolier Electronic Publishing)