PHILOSOPHICAL MATERIALISM

So, does only the physical world exist the skeptics say? Or is there evidence of aspects of reality that are different from that what is phyisical and measurable by physical instruments? This thread can hopefully cover the essential part of a big amount of the discussions and arguments in threads her on ATS.

Here is a definition of materialism:

Philosophical Materialism is based on the concept that the Universe is solely a material dimension and that all phenomena (i.e. reality) in the Universe are strictly the result of the material interactions of the separate physical 'bits' comprising it - all operating in accordance with 'natural', immutable laws 1 of the universe and not exhibiting, or being the subject of, 'consciousness'. In other words, the universe was considered to be strictly deterministic and causal in operation - a gigantic 'super machine' so to speak. 2

Philosophical materialism specifically rejects the concept of an essential wholeness or interconnectedness between all the 'parts' comprising the Universe, let alone of an overlighting 'consciousness' pervading that universe. Religion and spirituality are considered to be just "superstitious nonsense" of a bygone era. Non-physical phenomena which cannot be 'objectively' verified 3 are considered to be "unreal" or "non-existent" and "all in the mind". 4

Philosophical materialism postulates that all consciousness (including human consciousness) is a direct result of the workings of a physical 'brain' and as such physical 'death' results in the destruction of the consciousness associated with that physical body. In other words there is nothing beyond death and as such "death is final".

www.vision.net.au...

home.btclick.com...

is an electron material? quantum entanglement displays a sort of 'interconnection.'

materialism implies consciousness as a byproduct. the big problem in admitting that is pride for those who have put their eggs into only teleological baskets and cannot imagine being wrong. about anything.
also plays to an innate desire for some to have a safe, secure, understandable world.

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claims towards a mechanistic universe material demand a much bigger frame of reference than our little 200 year experiment in progress.

when taking on the materialist worldview, anyone who percieves something that isnt an easily assimilated cog in the machine is automatically delusional.

like any ideology its language is a trap that assumes we have answers that we do not in order to shape actions and institutions.

A bit more objective article about materialism and also about nonreductive materialism can found here.

Science is usually off better using a reductionist materialistic worldview. Examining every little part of the human body down to a molecular level learned us more than just looking at the human as a whole. We should be careful though not to lose sight of the full picture.

Personally, my view is that only things that influence us or the things around us (and therefore also us) exist. If something can influence us or our measuring instruments, it might as well not exist at all.

A good article about Quantum Entanglement from a philosophical point of view can found here.

[Edited on 25-5-2004 by amantine]

Interesting articles there Amantine, I'm busy reading them...