Dichotomy

A dichotomy is the presentation of two parts, usually of statements.  A true dichotomy would be, for example, “There either is a god or gods, or there is not a god or gods.”  A proper dichotomy occurs when there is a statement and the negation of the statement as the only two possibilities. Dichotomy refers to a division into two parts, within theology or philosophy. This would include the division of reality and ideal, theory and practical, and body and soul. When refuring to humanity, dichotomy should be understood as the teaching that a human consists of two parts: body and soul. Sometimes the soul is also referred to as spirit. Contrast this view with Trichotomy.