noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to a system or concept consisting of two fundamental elements, such as in philosophy, mathematics, or computing. Often used attributively with の.
この哲学は二元論に基づいている。
This philosophy is based on dualism.
コンピューターは二元法で動いている。
Computers operate on a binary system.
From 二 (two) + 元 (origin, element). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the compound naturally expresses the idea of two fundamental principles.