Difference between revisions of "Materialism"
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| − | '''Materialism''' is a | + | '''Materialism''' is a [[philosophy]] within the realm of [[metaphysics]] that holds that the only thing that can be proven beyond doubt to exist is matter. Materialism holds that all phenomena and processes can be explained as manefestations or results of matter.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialism Merriam Webster Dictionary: Materialism]</ref> |
| − | In politics, materialism overlooks abstract principles and instead focuses on tangible or directly observable characteristics, such as: | + | In politics, materialism overlooks abstract principles and instead focuses on tangible or directly observable characteristics, {{fact}} such as: |
* race | * race | ||
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* location<ref>For example, some question whether [[John McCain]] can become President of the [[United States]] because the ''location'' of his birth was outside of the [[United States]]. [http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/02/is-mccain-a-nat.html]</ref> | * location<ref>For example, some question whether [[John McCain]] can become President of the [[United States]] because the ''location'' of his birth was outside of the [[United States]]. [http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/02/is-mccain-a-nat.html]</ref> | ||
| − | In the [[United States]], [[Democrats]] tend to be materalistic, with particularly heavy emphasis placed on race and gender. [[Republicans]], in contrast, tend to focus on principles such as [[pro-life]] or [[economics]]. | + | In the [[United States]], [[Democrats]] tend to be materalistic, with particularly heavy emphasis placed on race and gender.{{fact}} [[Republicans]], in contrast, tend to focus on principles such as [[pro-life]] or [[economics]].{{fact}} |
| − | Materialism ignores unseen [[opportunity costs]], and often materialists fail to grasp the concept and its importance. | + | Materialism ignores unseen [[opportunity costs]], and often materialists fail to grasp the concept and its importance. {{fact}} |
| − | [[Gun control]] is an issue that separates materialistic approaches from conceptual ones. The materialistic | + | [[Gun control]] is an issue that separates materialistic approaches from conceptual ones. The materialistic duality is to remove guns ostensibly to reduce violence from guns or allow guns to allow individuals to defend themselves. The conceptual approach is to evaluate the unseen deterrent benefits of guns, and to compare this value to the harm of improper use. |
| − | Materialism is taught heavily in [[public schools]], leading students to undervalue [[unseen]] aspects of life. | + | Materialism is taught heavily in [[public schools]], leading students to undervalue [[unseen]] aspects of life. {{fact}} There is a high correlation between materialism and [[atheism]] as atheism is fundamentally a materialistic philosophy. Materialism denies that most great intellectual breakthroughs were the result of [[faith]] in the [[unseen]]. {{fact}} |
| − | Materialism misleads people into thinking that non-material-based addictions (e.g., gambling and pornography) are not harmful to one's health. | + | Materialism misleads people into thinking that non-material-based addictions (e.g., gambling and pornography) are not harmful to one's health. {{fact}} They are often very harmful despite a lack of immediate physical harm. |
| − | 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. | + | Arguments for materialism commonly misuse {{fact}} principles such as [[Occam's Razor]] and propose that an immaterial realm is wholly superfluous to materialists' understanding of the world. |
"Materialism" can also refer to an obsession with material goods. | "Materialism" can also refer to an obsession with material goods. | ||
| − | The teachings of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Vladimir Lenin]] (see [[Marxism-Leninism]]) rest upon a | + | The teachings of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Vladimir Lenin]] (see [[Marxism-Leninism]]) rest upon a philosophy of history called [[dialectical materialism]]. |
==Quotes== | ==Quotes== | ||
Revision as of 18:07, June 5, 2008
Materialism is a philosophy within the realm of metaphysics that holds that the only thing that can be proven beyond doubt to exist is matter. Materialism holds that all phenomena and processes can be explained as manefestations or results of matter.[1]
In politics, materialism overlooks abstract principles and instead focuses on tangible or directly observable characteristics,[Citation Needed] such as:
- race
- gender
- wealth
- location[2]
In the United States, Democrats tend to be materalistic, with particularly heavy emphasis placed on race and gender.[Citation Needed] Republicans, in contrast, tend to focus on principles such as pro-life or economics.[Citation Needed]
Materialism ignores unseen opportunity costs, and often materialists fail to grasp the concept and its importance.[Citation Needed]
Gun control is an issue that separates materialistic approaches from conceptual ones. The materialistic duality is to remove guns ostensibly to reduce violence from guns or allow guns to allow individuals to defend themselves. The conceptual approach is to evaluate the unseen deterrent benefits of guns, and to compare this value to the harm of improper use.
Materialism is taught heavily in public schools, leading students to undervalue unseen aspects of life.[Citation Needed] There is a high correlation between materialism and atheism as atheism is fundamentally a materialistic philosophy. Materialism denies that most great intellectual breakthroughs were the result of faith in the unseen.[Citation Needed]
Materialism misleads people into thinking that non-material-based addictions (e.g., gambling and pornography) are not harmful to one's health.[Citation Needed] They are often very harmful despite a lack of immediate physical harm.
Arguments for materialism commonly misuse[Citation Needed] principles such as Occam's Razor and propose that an immaterial realm is wholly superfluous to materialists' understanding of the world.
"Materialism" can also refer to an obsession with material goods.
The teachings of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin (see Marxism-Leninism) rest upon a philosophy of history called dialectical materialism.
Quotes
- "[T]he greatest failure of materialism is that it simply cannot explain the existence of information!" [2]
See also
References
- ↑ Merriam Webster Dictionary: Materialism
- ↑ For example, some question whether John McCain can become President of the United States because the location of his birth was outside of the United States. [1]