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'''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 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

* 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 approach is to remove guns ostensibly to reduce violence from guns.  The conceptual approach is to recognize the unseen deterrent benefits of guns, and to compare the unseen value of that deterrence to the harm of improper use.

[[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. There is a high correlation between materialism and [[atheism]].  Materialism denies that most great intellectual breakthroughs were the result of [[faith]] in the [[unseen]].

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. They are often very harmful despite a lack of immediate physical harm.

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 particular philosophy called [[dialectical materialism]].

The teachings of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Vladimir Lenin]] (see [[Marxism-Leninism]]) rest upon a philosophy of history called [[dialectical materialism]].

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