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MaterialismObjectives:1.Understand the philosophy and implications of materialism2. Understand the view of Islam on materialism

Materialism is the theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental truth/reality and that all beings and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter only.

Materialism excludes the existence of entities that are radically different from or superior to the matter of our ordinary experience.

In the materialistic worldview, only matter matters. Everything that is not physical and material is not accepted.

1.“a preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values”.

2.“The philosophical theory that regards matter and its motions as constituting the universe, and all phenomena, including those of mind, as due to material agencies".

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Definitions

“a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress”.

“a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused (historical materialism).

“A preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things

Definitions

“In PHILOSOPHY, the theory of materialism holds that the only thing that exists is matter or energy; that all things are composed of material and all phenomena (including consciousness) are the result of material interactions. In other words, matter is the only substance, and reality is identical with the actually occurring states of energy and matter”.

What do you think are the implications of this view?

in Philosophy

• Materialism rejects the existence of God or gods on whom the universe would depend for existence or mode of operation. This leads to atheism.

• Materialism denies the existence of angels or spirit;

• it questions the notion of a soul, if taken to be immaterial entity separable, in principle, from the human body.

• Some of the main targets of materialism: • religion - atheism • dualistic views of human nature (moral dualism, (e.g. the conflict

between good and evil, mind-body or mind-matter dualism.

• Materialism negates the existence of all that which is not within the framework/fold of change & transformation & not perceivable by the senses.

• In Materialism, knowledge of the world and of society must be based on sense experience and science.

• Like positivism, materialism stress on science as the only legitimate source of knowledge explaining the causalities of the world.

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Video Clip: The Price of Materialism

SummaryActivities