monotonism

Monotonism is a term encountered occasionally in philosophy and related disciplines to describe a stance that emphasizes a single underlying principle or substance as sufficient to explain the phenomena of the world. In its broad sense, monotonism asserts that diversity and multiplicity can be unified under a solitary ontological or explanatory core, with apparent differences arising from relational structure, perspective, or emergent organization rather than from genuinely independent substances or forces. The term is not widely standardized and may be used in varying ways depending on the author.

Etymology: deriving from mono- "one" and tonos, the word is not common in standard philosophical lexicon; it sometimes appears in discussions on monism or reductionist accounts as a label for a unity-focused theory.

Historical usage: Monotonism is an uncommon label; it may appear in late-19th or 20th-century discussions that sought to describe monistic tendencies with emphasis on unity and continuity. It is often contrasted with dualism, pluralism, or atomistic theories, and with monism in general.

Theoretical variants: Some formulations align with a single fundamental ontological principle, such as a single substance or energy, while allowing for a rich structure of phenomena through relations, modes, or appearances. Other uses emphasize methodological unity, arguing that explanations should seek a monotone or steadily increasing account of explanatory power.

Criticism and reception: Critics argue that the label can obscure distinctions among monist positions and may risk oversimplifying ontological commitments. Supporters contend that a monotone foundational framework can yield coherent accounts of continuity and correlation across diverse domains.

See also: Monism, Reductionism, Ontology, Philosophy of science.