Materialism is a philosophy that is based on the following foundational principle
A thing is said to exist if,
1. It can be directly observed by our senses OR
2. It's existence can be logically deduced from direct observation by our senses
Anything that doesn't meet the above criteria cannot be considered as existing.
Are you a materialist? Do you agree with the above principle?
If not, how do you refute it?
Up until very recently there was no proof of gravitational waves, it is theorised that there are multiple universes, light can bend etc. Hawkings had asserted that it is beyond the capacity of a human brain to understand the universe.
I’d argue that consciousness does not meet both of the criteria’s mentioned above, in the sense that we cannot directly observe it on any level, just the actions that result from having a consciousness, and yet it seems to be a scientifically proven fact.
Taking that into consideration, I would say that I am not a materialist. However, I’m no expert.
@krash thanks for your comment in light of that I can say I maybe a materialist. In regards to consciousness it is all billions of electrical circuits and chemicals and it is very conceivable that a human consciousness can be downloaded on a computer
I beg to differ with the given definition. This looks more like realistic may be? unless i had a different defo in mind. Looks complicated either way
Nopes, not a materialist.
**Have you ever had a dream or vision about something, only for that vision to later come true? (I Have) 
So I believe it is not all about Materials :read: 
; there are a lot things happen that No one can explain!
Have you ever been accused of reading someone else’s thoughts? Or have you ever known something about the past that you couldn’t have possibly experienced or lived through? If so, then you may just have extrasensory perception. **
Extrasensory perception (ESP)** refers to the ability to obtain information about the world around you without using the normal five senses of sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell. The basic assumption behind extrasensory perception is that humans can experience things that go beyond the capabilities of the known senses. The term extrasensory perception was popularized by Joseph Banks Rhine in 1934. Rhine, a professor at Duke University at the time, conducted several experiments that he believed proved the existence of extrasensory perception, though many scientists have challenged his findings and methods. Not all people believe that extrasensory perception exists.**
Ok dont throw eggs but in my mind a materialist is the one who evaluates everything on its net market value. Like the one who doesnt care about emotions or intangible things (again since these have no market value).
So, what is your refutation?
Could people who are religious be materialist? Some believe pandemic is because of homosexuality?
I don’t think so because in most religions we believe in a God who is not observable by our senses.
In case of faith it is not only limited to believing in in observable things but actively denying observable things, there is undeniable evidence of evolution and yet in order to maintain faith many have to deny it. Many other facts.
This is true. Many people of faith deny observable facts. Many also insist that the non-material reality they believe in is also observable similar to material reality (“supernatural materialism”).
I think this is not true faith. This is a distortion of faith (“Aiteqaad”). Domain of true faith is reality that is not directly observable (or logically deducible from direct observation) but can be known in other ways.
I won’t dissect the post and respond. All I’ll say is, to each his own.
I can totally respect that if everyone leaves each other alone but there is a lot of violence and atrocities done against each other by mainly religious people of all faiths
Can you kindly give some examples and if there are any significant number of those kinds of people who might tend to behead someone on account of not believing in evolutioin? I am aware of communism totalitarianism and I dont subscribe to that but humanism. I guess love and compassion are not part of materialism and yet many feel compassion and love for others even when there is nothing to be gained and also love for animals. So how does materialism explain a man diving into frigid waters to save a dog?
You gave the best example yourself - totalitarian communism based on something called dialectical materialism. But that is not how all materialists or humanists are.
I am not in any way saying that those who are non-religious, either materialist or humanist, are lacking in ethical or compassionate behavior. Often, you can see them take these values more seriously than others.
I feel if Chinese Communists ever gained the position of dominant super power they will commit massive genocides, we need secular thinking combined with humanism otherwise math alone makes a great case for annihilations, genocides and enslavements etc.
OP, are you a materialist? Can you explain more about it?
