Difference between revisions of "Materialism"
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'''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 manifestations or results of matter.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialism Merriam Webster Dictionary: Materialism]</ref> | '''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 manifestations 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, | + | In politics, materialism overlooks abstract principles and instead focuses on tangible or directly observable characteristics, such as: |
* race | * race | ||
* gender | * gender | ||
* wealth | * wealth | ||
| + | * job title or status | ||
| − | In the [[United States]], [[Democrats]] tend to be materalistic, with particularly heavy emphasis placed on race | + | In the [[United States]], [[Democrats]] tend to be materalistic, with particularly heavy emphasis placed on race, gender and job title. [[Republicans]], in contrast, tend to focus on principles such as [[pro-life]] or [[economics]]. |
| − | Materialism ignores unseen [[opportunity costs]], and often materialists | + | Materialism ignores unseen [[opportunity costs]], and often materialists are unable or unwilling to grasp this and other abstract truths. [[Evolution syndrome]] is a psychological condition that reflects [[materialism]]. |
[[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. | [[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. 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 brainchild of men with [[faith]] in the [[unseen]]. |
| − | 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. They are often very harmful despite a lack of immediate physical harm. |
| − | Arguments for materialism commonly use | + | Arguments for materialism commonly use principles such as [[Occam's Razor]] to 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. | ||
Revision as of 21:18, December 3, 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 manifestations or results of matter.[1]
In politics, materialism overlooks abstract principles and instead focuses on tangible or directly observable characteristics, such as:
- race
- gender
- wealth
- job title or status
In the United States, Democrats tend to be materalistic, with particularly heavy emphasis placed on race, gender and job title. Republicans, in contrast, tend to focus on principles such as pro-life or economics.
Materialism ignores unseen opportunity costs, and often materialists are unable or unwilling to grasp this and other abstract truths. Evolution syndrome is a psychological condition that reflects materialism.
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 as atheism is fundamentally a materialistic philosophy. Materialism denies that most great intellectual breakthroughs were the brainchild of men with faith in the unseen.
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.
Arguments for materialism commonly use principles such as Occam's Razor to 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!" [1]
