Two-element distinction. Like the dichotomy, dualism makes a clear distinction between mutually exclusive or completely different elements.
For example, René Descartes is known for his method of man, often described as dualistic, man is composed of two different substances (immaterial mind and physical body).
According to Charles S. Peirce, “we naturally absolutize our differences too much” (CP 7.438). The result is often in the form of a dualistic approach.
Peirce believes that dualism, in its broadest legitimate sense, is “a philosophy that conducts its analyzes, arranging them in axes, leaving as immediate elements immaterial pieces of being” (CP 7.570).
In structural linguistics and in the semiological tradition modeled by this linguistics, this is undoubtedly the case with the dualistic way in which Ferdinand de Saussure and his followers divided language (langue) and speech (parole).
The necessary differences should not lead to absolute divisions.
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