| − | '''Materialism''' is a belief system insisting that existence is limited to what is detectable in some form by the senses—for instance [[matter]], [[light]], and so forth. Materialism denies or downplays the existence of anything not directly detectable by the senses. For example, materialism denies existence of love{{fact|date=January 2008}}, spirituality, intelligent design, and [[God]]. Materialism overemphasizes the seen, such as material wealth, at the expense of the unseen, such as opportunity or [[faith]]. | + | '''Materialism''' is a belief system insisting that existence is limited to what is detectable in some form by the senses—for instance [[matter]], [[light]], and so forth. Materialism denies or downplays the existence of anything not directly detectable by the senses. For example, materialism denies existence of love, spirituality, intelligent design, and [[God]]. Materialism overemphasizes the seen, such as material wealth, at the expense of the unseen, such as opportunity or [[faith]]. |
| − | Materialism is taught heavily in [[public schools]], leading students to undervalue [[unseen]] aspects of life.{{fact|date=January 2008}} There is a high correlation between materialism and [[atheism]]. Materialism denies that most great intellectual breakthroughs were the result of [[faith]] in the [[unseen]].{{fact|date=January 2008}} | + | Materialism is taught heavily in [[public schools]], leading students to undervalue [[unseen]] aspects of life. There is a high correlation between materialism and [[atheism]]. Materialism denies that most great intellectual breakthroughs were the result of [[faith]] in the [[unseen]]. |
| − | Arguments for materialism commonly misuse principles such as [[Occam's Razor]] and propose that an immaterial realm is wholly superfluous to materialists' understanding of the world.{{fact|date=January 2008}} | + | Arguments for materialism commonly misuse principles such as [[Occam's Razor]] and propose that an immaterial realm is wholly superfluous to materialists' understanding of the world. |
| | The teachings of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Vladimir Lenin]] (see [[Marxism-Leninism]]) rest upon a particular philosophy called [[dialectical materialism]]. | | The teachings of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Vladimir Lenin]] (see [[Marxism-Leninism]]) rest upon a particular philosophy called [[dialectical materialism]]. |