Dualism. This term, which seems to have been introduced c. 1700 by Thomas Hyde, in reference to an element in the history of Zoroastrianism, is used in several senses. The first to apply it to the metaphysical opposition between mind and matter was Christian Wolff. In the history of religion it is applied to the strong opposition of good and evil as two rival forces in the universe, as found notably in Manichaeism but also in some forms of Gnosticism and in the classical Chinese Yin/Yang antinomy. Dualism may be metaphysical or moral. Modified forms of dualism may be found in many philosophical systems. The distinction made by Descartes between the res cogitans (the knower) and the res extensa (the known) implies a thoroughgoing dualism.

Geddes MacGregor, Dictionary of Religion and Philosophy, New York: Paragon House, 1989

dualism : (m.) dvittavāda.

A.P. Buddhadatta Mahathera, Concise Pali-English and English-Pali Dictionary [available as digital version from Metta Net, Sri Lanka]