The theory that only physical entities exist, and that so-called mental things are manifestations of an underlying physical reality.
Materialism is the philosophical belief that the world is comprised of small units of “material” These small substances are what comprise the body. The theory postulates that the body is like a machine made up of various parts. If we understand the parts well enough, we can “fix” the broken ones and restore the body to health. This is in contrast to the vitalistic belief of homeopathy which postulates an immaterial vital force or dynamic energy as the basis of all life.
the belief that technological and economic factors are the most important ones in moulding society AND a way of life with personal or societal values preoccupied with obtaining material possesions
the doctrine that matter is the only reality.
the view that all substance is material in nature; the view that all of reality is material.
A naturalistic form of philosophy which finds the ultimate solution of all phenomena, physical and psychical, in the nature and activity of universal matter or force.
Belief that a society's economic structure is the underlying force behind all societal institutions, including law, politics, ethics, religion, philosophy, ideology, and art.
the philosophical theory that regards matter and its motions ... [as the only constituents of] the universe, and all phenomena, including those of mind [or the existence of life], as due to material agencies
a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters
(philosophy) the philosophical theory that matter is the only reality
the use of innovative and unique features in theories, forms, style, themes, and topics; involves an intentional and revolutionary break with conservative recognized styles of literature. London's crisp, short sentences were a break from the "purple prose" of the Gilded Age, as was his choice of naturalist topics.
Usually refers to the belief that only those things which can be perceived by the five senses exist.
The metaphysical theory that views reality as only matter and its determinations; naturalism; physicalism.
A theory or philosophy that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being, processes, and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter.
The doctrine that the facts of experience are all to be explained by reference to the reality, activities, and laws of physical or material substance
The philosophical perspective that nothing exists except the material, physical world. As Carl Sagan famously put it: "The Cosmos is all there is, or ever was, or ever will be." This view is also know as "Naturalism." Materialism tends to be one of the foundational tenets of atheism.
the idea that only matter is real.
The school of thought that all matter is made up of tiny particles, and each different type of matter has particles with unique properties.
The doctrine that whatever exists is either matter or entirely dependent on matter for its existence.
The type of monism that holds that only the physical is real.
belief that the physical world is the ultimate reality
1) a theory which holds that physical matter is the only reality. 2) a theory according to which the highest values of living lie in material well-being.
A general philosophical view that only physical processes exist. The term is also applied to philosophical theories of mind which claim that mental states are identical with brain states. See also Dualism, Eliminativism, Functionalism.
A social value emphasising having and consuming the material things of life.
Philosophical view that minds are purely physical.
The metaphysical view that all reality is reducible to, or explainable in terms of, matter and its physical properties.
In philosophy, materialism is that form of physicalism which holds that the only thing that can truly be said to exist is matter; that fundamentally, all things are composed of material and all phenomena are the result of material interactions; that matter is the only substance. As a theory, materialism belongs to the class of monist ontology. As such, it is different from ontological theories based on dualism or pluralism.
