Definition &Thoughts

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Definition &Thoughts
Debbi Perkins	Posted on: Sunday 15 April 2007 7:00:09 pm
	My intention in writing was to develop a basic understanding of materialism from which to work; however, these things may be known and understood by those already working on the problem. You have my apologies if this was a waste of time. Materialism Definitions Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – 10th Edition defines materialism as “1a) 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; 1b) a doctrine that the only or highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress; 1c) a doctrine that economic and social change is materially caused – compare HISTORICAL MATERIALISM; 2) a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things.” Definition 1a was in common use in 1748 and implies that matter creates itself. This may be considered an atheistic point of view because a belief in God requires a belief that He is what creates and animates matter. Since an atheist doesn’t believe this, he could be considered a materialist. In this sense of the word, few people are materialists because few people are atheists. Definition 2 was the meaning commonly used in 1993 when this particular dictionary was printed. Unless this meaning is being used to define oneself, it implies judgment of another person’s lifestyle based upon personal beliefs about what is “intellectual” or “spiritual” as opposed to what is strictly “material.” And given definition 1a, unless a person has declared himself an atheist, he is probably not a materialist, and we have no basis upon which to judge his endeavors. Definitions 1b and 1c may be more closely related to the purpose of this forum where we seek a deeper understanding of materialism as it relates to right human relations and goodwill. Given this, a broader historical context may be helpful. The reference to historical materialism gives us: “the Marxist theory of history and society that holds that ideas and social institutions develop only as the superstructure of a material economic base – compare DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM.” This definition came into use in the mid-1920s. The reference to dialectical materialism gives us: “ the Marxist theory that maintains the material basis of a reality constantly changing in a dialectical process and the priority of matter over mind – compare HISTORICAL MATERIALISM.” This definition was also in use during the mid-1920s. A quick look at the definition of dialectic gives us: “1) LOGIC.” (no emphasis added) Further down in the list of definitions: “4a) the Hegelian process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite; also: the critical investigation of this process,” and “4b(1) development through the stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism . . .” In essence, dialectical materialism may be understood as a way of arriving at materialism’s opposite – spiritual and intellectual enlightenment – through an understanding of what spiritual and intellectual enlightenment are not. In a broader context, one may arrive at an understanding of God by experiencing what He is not. Within the definition of dialectical materialism, matter is given priority over mind. This is sure evidence that dialectical materialism will provide an experience of what God is not because giving matter priority over mind may lead to an involutionary path or what some might describe as evil. Without giving a lengthy dissertation on materialism’s history or theory, references can be found that trace materialism back to approximately 600 BCE where three philosophers and two schools of thought in India began expressing materialism’s basic tenet that matter is all that exists. So, materialistic views have been with humanity and influencing human life for at least 2,500 years. Thoughts The American culture is generally considered the crassest expression of materialism on the planet. However, America wasn’t founded by atheists and the majority of Americans profess some belief in God, so an assumption may be made that the culture as a whole is not practicing materialism per se, but is in fact practicing dialectical materialism as a path to intellectual and spiritual enlightenment – although the striving may be done unconsciously. The anthroposophical movement holds the belief that America – when viewed as a spiritual entity – is at the same developmental stage as a teenager in full hormonal bloom and is thus experiencing the same emotional challenges. This may be helpful in understanding the separative, selfish behavior commonly displayed by Americans as they work through this difficult evolutionary phase. This may also provide hope that, over time, it will pass. Many streams of thought tell us that the Kingdom of God will eventually be made manifest on earth. What that truly means can only be imagined. But an assumption can be made that when the Kingdom of God manifests on earth that it will be a material kingdom made holy through the cooperative effort of man and deity.

Debbi Perkins

Posted on: Sunday 15 April 2007 7:00:09 pm

My intention in writing was to develop a basic understanding of materialism from which to work; however, these things may be known and understood by those already working on the problem. You have my apologies if this was a waste of time.

Materialism

Definitions

Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – 10th Edition defines materialism as “1a) 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; 1b) a doctrine that the only or highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress; 1c) a doctrine that economic and social change is materially caused – compare HISTORICAL MATERIALISM; 2) a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things.”

Definition 1a was in common use in 1748 and implies that matter creates itself. This may be considered an atheistic point of view because a belief in God requires a belief that He is what creates and animates matter. Since an atheist doesn’t believe this, he could be considered a materialist. In this sense of the word, few people are materialists because few people are atheists.

Definition 2 was the meaning commonly used in 1993 when this particular dictionary was printed. Unless this meaning is being used to define oneself, it implies judgment of another person’s lifestyle based upon personal beliefs about what is “intellectual” or “spiritual” as opposed to what is strictly “material.” And given definition 1a, unless a person has declared himself an atheist, he is probably not a materialist, and we have no basis upon which to judge his endeavors.

Definitions 1b and 1c may be more closely related to the purpose of this forum where we seek a deeper understanding of materialism as it relates to right human relations and goodwill. Given this, a broader historical context may be helpful.

The reference to historical materialism gives us: “the Marxist theory of history and society that holds that ideas and social institutions develop only as the superstructure of a material economic base – compare DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM.” This definition came into use in the mid-1920s.

The reference to dialectical materialism gives us: “ the Marxist theory that maintains the material basis of a reality constantly changing in a dialectical process and the priority of matter over mind – compare HISTORICAL MATERIALISM.” This definition was also in use during the mid-1920s.

A quick look at the definition of dialectic gives us: “1) LOGIC.” (no emphasis added) Further down in the list of definitions: “4a) the Hegelian process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite; also: the critical investigation of this process,” and “4b(1) development through the stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism . . .”

In essence, dialectical materialism may be understood as a way of arriving at materialism’s opposite – spiritual and intellectual enlightenment – through an understanding of what spiritual and intellectual enlightenment are not. In a broader context, one may arrive at an understanding of God by experiencing what He is not. Within the definition of dialectical materialism, matter is given priority over mind. This is sure evidence that dialectical materialism will provide an experience of what God is not because giving matter priority over mind may lead to an involutionary path or what some might describe as evil.

Without giving a lengthy dissertation on materialism’s history or theory, references can be found that trace materialism back to approximately 600 BCE where three philosophers and two schools of thought in India began expressing materialism’s basic tenet that matter is all that exists. So, materialistic views have been with humanity and influencing human life for at least 2,500 years.

Thoughts

The American culture is generally considered the crassest expression of materialism on the planet. However, America wasn’t founded by atheists and the majority of Americans profess some belief in God, so an assumption may be made that the culture as a whole is not practicing materialism per se, but is in fact practicing dialectical materialism as a path to intellectual and spiritual enlightenment – although the striving may be done unconsciously.

The anthroposophical movement holds the belief that America – when viewed as a spiritual entity – is at the same developmental stage as a teenager in full hormonal bloom and is thus experiencing the same emotional challenges. This may be helpful in understanding the separative, selfish behavior commonly displayed by Americans as they work through this difficult evolutionary phase. This may also provide hope that, over time, it will pass.

Many streams of thought tell us that the Kingdom of God will eventually be made manifest on earth. What that truly means can only be imagined. But an assumption can be made that when the Kingdom of God manifests on earth that it will be a material kingdom made holy through the cooperative effort of man and deity.