Bilism

Bilism is a term used in some academic and informal contexts to describe a doctrine or framework that emphasizes two fundamental components or a two-part structure. There is no universally accepted definition or standard usage, and the term appears only in limited or niche discussions.

Etymology: The word derives from the prefix bi- meaning two, combined with the suffix -ism indicating a doctrine, practice, or system.

Usage and scope: In philosophy and related fields, bilism may be employed loosely to signal a dualistic approach—one that posits two irreducible components or principles that together constitute a phenomenon. In other domains, such as linguistics, cognitive science, or political theory, some writers have used bilism to describe models that separate phenomena into two interdependent aspects rather than a single, unified account. Because bilism is not standardized, its exact meaning depends on the author and context.

Relation to other terms: Bilism is distinct from established terms such as dualism, which often denotes mind–body or substance distinctions, and from bipartite or binary models that emphasize two parts without asserting irreducible domains. In practice, bilism may overlap with these ideas but should be interpreted cautiously.

See also: dualism; binary theory; bipartite model; two-aspect theory.