Pluralism

Pluralism is used, often in different ways, across a wide range of topics to denote a diversity of views, and stands in opposition to one single approach or method of interpretation:

• Benefice, in the sense of holding multiple ecclesiastical offices
• Cosmic pluralism, the belief in numerous other worlds beyond the Earth, which may possess the conditions suitable for life
• Cultural pluralism, when small groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities (see Multiculturalism)
• Legal pluralism, acknowledges the existence of differing legal systems in the world
• Methodological pluralism, the view that some phenomena observed in science and social science require multiple methods to account for their nature
• Pluralism (industrial relations), recognition of a multiplicy of legitimate interests and stakeholders in the employment relationship
• Pluralism (political philosophy), the acknowledgment of a diversity of political systems
• Pluralism (political theory), belief that there should be diverse and competing centres of power in society, so that there is a marketplace for ideas
• Pluralist school, a Greek school of pre-Socratic professors
• Educational pluralism, the belief that an educational community is enriched when individual differences are respected and welcomed.
• Religious pluralism, the acceptance of all religious paths as equally valid, promoting coexistence
• Scientific pluralism, the view that some phenomena observed in science require multiple explanations to account for their nature.
• Social pluralism, places the study of political phenomena on the ground where systematic explanation is the norm.