materialism

ma·te·ri·al·ism   (mə-tîr'ē-ə-lĭz'əm)    n.   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. The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life. A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns. ma·te'ri·al·ist n., ma·te'ri·al·is'tic adj., ma·te'ri·al·is'ti·cal·ly adv.

Materialism

Ma*te"ri*al*ism\, n. [Cf. F. mat['e]rialisme.]

1. The doctrine of materialists; materialistic views and tenets.

The irregular fears of a future state had been supplanted by the materialism of Epicurus. --Buckminster.

2. The tendency to give undue importance to material interests; devotion to the material nature and its wants.

3. Material substances in the aggregate; matter. [R. & Obs.] --A. Chalmers.

materialism

In philosophy, the position that nothing exists except matter — things that can be measured or known through the senses. Materialists deny the existence of spirit, and they look for physical explanations for all phenomena. Thus, for example, they trace mental states to the brain or nervous system, rather than to the spirit or the soul. Marxism, because it sees human culture as the product of economic forces, is a materialist system of beliefs.