Dictionary
materialism
noun ma·te·ri·al·ism \mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌli-zəm\
: a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things
philosophy : the belief that only material things exist
Full Definition of MATERIALISM
1
a : a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter b : a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress c : a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused — compare historical materialism
2
: a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things
— ma·te·ri·al·ist \-list\ noun or adjective
— ma·te·ri·al·is·tic \-ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective
— ma·te·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of MATERIALISM
1733
Other Philosophy Terms
Rhymes with MATERIALISM
abolitionism, academicism, agrarianism, anthropomorphism, anti-Semitism, bicameralism, colloquialism, colonialism, constitutionalism, cosmopolitism, ecumenicism, exceptionalism, exhibitionism, existentialism, fundamentalism, Hegelianism, hermaphroditism, hyperrealism, imperialism, industrialism, instrumentalism, interventionism, irrationalism, isolationism, Malthusianism, Manichaeanism, millennialism, Monophysitism, multilingualism, neoclassicism, Neoplatonism, neorealism, Nestorianism, Occidentalism, orientalism, parochialism, Pelagianism, phenomenalism, photojournalism, pictorialism, Postimpressionism, professionalism, pseudoclassicism, reconstructionism, republicanism, Rosicrucianism, sacerdotalism, self-determinism, sadomasochism, sectarianism, sensationalism, sentimentalism, spiritualism, Tractarianism, traditionalism, transcendentalism, ultramontanism, universalism, utopianism, vocationalism
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