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materialism

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
ma·te·ri·al·ism  (m-tîr--lzm)
n.
1. Philosophy The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
2. The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.
3. A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.

ma·teri·al·ist n.
ma·teri·al·istic adj.
ma·teri·al·isti·cal·ly adv.

materialism [məˈtɪərɪəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. interest in and desire for money, possessions, etc., rather than spiritual or ethical values
2. (Philosophy) Philosophy the monist doctrine that matter is the only reality and that the mind, the emotions, etc., are merely functions of it Compare idealism [3] dualism [2] See also identity theory
3. (Philosophy) Ethics the rejection of any religious or supernatural account of things
materialist  n & adj
materialistic  adj
materialistically  adv

materialism
1. the philosophical theory that regards matter and its phenomena as the only reality and explains all occurrences, including the mental, as due to material agencies.
2. attention to or emphasis on material objects, needs, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of intellectual and spiritual values. — materialist, n. — materialistic, adj.
See also: Matter
the theory that regards matter and its various guises as constituting the universe, and all phenomena, including those of the mind, as caused by material agencies. — materialist, n., adj.materialistic, adj.
See also: Philosophy
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.materialism - a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual mattersmaterialism - a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters
desire - something that is desired
2.materialism - (philosophy) the philosophical theory that matter is the only reality
dialectical materialism - the materialistic philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics
philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy
Translations
materialism [məˈtɪərɪəlɪzəm] Nmaterialismo m
materialism [məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm] n
[person, society] → matérialisme m
(= philosophical belief) → matérialisme m
materialism
nder Materialismus
materialism [məˈtɪərɪəˌlɪzm] nmaterialismo


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The very simplicity of his reasoning was its strength, and his materialism was far more compelling than the subtly complex materialism of Charley Furuseth.
(Cambridge University Press, 1920), will see that an old-fashioned materialism can receive no support from modern physics.
You know, one of those uncouth new people one's so often coming across nowadays, One of those free-thinkers you know, who are reared d'emblee in theories of atheism, scepticism, and materialism.
 
 
 
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